Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Nedeljkovic vs Casey DeSmith
In 2025-26, Alex Nedeljkovic posted a .896 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907.
Against our expected-goals model, Nedeljkovic saved +1.6 goals and DeSmith +5.5.
This week Nedeljkovic has 1 game left (about 0.0 expected starts); DeSmith has 1 left (about 1.0 expected starts). We project DeSmith for 2.7 ESPN points to Nedeljkovic's 0.0.
Casey DeSmith has the better number in 6 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Nedeljkovic's biggest edges: Saves 940, Games started 34, Wins 18.
DeSmith's biggest edges: Goals-against average 2.43, Goals against 71, Shutouts 1.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Nedeljkovic
1.15
fantasy points per game
Casey DeSmith
2.16
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Casey DeSmith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nedeljkovic | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.80 | 2.00 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.45 | -4.73 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.70 | 4.59 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.10 | 0.20 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Nedeljkovic vs DeSmith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nedeljkovic | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | SJS 5–4 DAL | 16/20 SV | 26/31 SV |
| 2025-12-18 | SJS 3–5 DAL | 25/29 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-12-05 | SJS 1–4 DAL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-04-05 | PIT 5–3 DAL | 0/0 SV | 35/39 SV |
| 2024-11-11 | PIT 1–7 DAL | 28/32 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-27 | PIT 4–3 VAN | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-01-11 | PIT 3–4 VAN | 6/9 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-03-28 | DET 7–4 PIT | 35/39 SV | 18/24 SV |
| 2022-04-23 | DET 2–7 PIT | 13/15 SV | 23/25 SV |
| 2022-03-27 | DET 2–11 PIT | 15/22 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-01-28 | DET 3–2 PIT | 0/0 SV | 30/32 SV |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
Alex Nedeljkovic
2games (1 left)
0.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.0 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK2% to start0.0 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to GSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Casey DeSmith
2games (1 left)
2.7proj. ESPN pts
About 1.0 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 13th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B97% to start2.7 ptsOpp allows 11th-most FP to GSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Nedeljkovic or Casey DeSmith?
- In 2025-26, Alex Nedeljkovic posted a .896 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907. Against our expected-goals model, Nedeljkovic saved +1.6 goals and DeSmith +5.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Alex Nedeljkovic or Casey DeSmith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Casey DeSmith leads in 6 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nedeljkovic and DeSmith done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Nedeljkovic's team went 5–6.
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →