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Who to start · 2025-26

Brandon Bussi vs Mackenzie Blackwood

Brandon BussiBrandon BussiHurricanes · GoalievsMackenzie BlackwoodMackenzie BlackwoodAvalanche · Goalie

In 2025-26, Brandon Bussi posted a .895 save percentage to Mackenzie Blackwood's .903.

Against our expected-goals model, Bussi saved +0.3 goals and Blackwood +5.5.

This week Bussi has 1 game left (about 0.1 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Blackwood has 1 left (about 0.2 expected starts). We project Bussi for 0.4 ESPN points to Blackwood's 0.4.

They split the 11 stats both are ranked on 5–5.

Bussi's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 +0.19, Wins 31, High-danger save % .829.

Blackwood's biggest edges: Save % .903, Goals saved above expected +5.5, Goals against 90.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 W, .872 SV%.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, .871 SV%.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Brandon Bussi

2.09

fantasy points per game

Mackenzie Blackwood

2.31

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mackenzie Blackwood has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromBussiBlackwood
Wins (+4)2.812.46
Goals against (-2)-5.10-4.83
Saves (+0.2)4.174.39
Shutouts (+3)0.150.23
OT losses (+1)0.050.05

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

Brandon Bussi and Mackenzie Blackwood have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

BussiBlackwood

Goaltending

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.

Brandon Bussi

3games (1 left)

0.4proj. ESPN pts

About 0.1 expected starts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to GLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Likely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B14% to start0.4 pts
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to GSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)

Mackenzie Blackwood

2games (1 left)

0.4proj. ESPN pts

About 0.2 expected starts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to GLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL20% to start0.4 pts
    Schedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Brandon Bussi or Mackenzie Blackwood?
In 2025-26, Brandon Bussi posted a .895 save percentage to Mackenzie Blackwood's .903. Against our expected-goals model, Bussi saved +0.3 goals and Blackwood +5.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
Who is better, Brandon Bussi or Mackenzie Blackwood?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 5–5 across 11 stats where both qualify.

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 →