Who to start · 2025-26
Cam Talbot vs Casey DeSmith
In 2025-26, Cam Talbot posted a .883 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907.
Against our expected-goals model, Talbot saved −7.4 goals and DeSmith +5.5.
This week Talbot plays 2 games (about 0.7 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; DeSmith plays 3 (about 0.6 expected starts) with 2 tough matchups. We project Talbot for 1.0 ESPN points to DeSmith's 1.0.
Casey DeSmith has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Talbot's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 +3.67, Saves 704.
DeSmith's biggest edges: High-danger save % .830, Goals-against average 2.43, Save % .907.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .923 SV%.
Columbus Blue Jackets · Dallas Stars · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Cam Talbot
0.26
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 | Talbot | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.41 | 2.00 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.47 | -4.73 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.14 | 4.59 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.18 | 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: Talbot vs DeSmith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Talbot | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-14 | DET 2–3 DAL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-12-23 | DET 4–3 DAL | 0/0 SV | 21/25 SV |
| 2025-04-14 | DET 6–4 DAL | 24/28 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-19 | DET 1–4 DAL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-04-06 | LAK 6–3 VAN | 39/42 SV | 23/29 SV |
| 2024-03-25 | LAK 3–2 VAN | 21/23 SV | 16/19 SV |
| 2024-03-05 | LAK 1–2 VAN | 29/31 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-29 | LAK 5–1 VAN | 23/24 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-20 | OTT 1–4 PIT | 40/44 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-18 | OTT 5–4 PIT | 15/19 SV | 35/40 SV |
| 2022-03-31 | MIN 3–4 PIT | 35/39 SV | 28/31 SV |
| 2021-11-06 | MIN 5–4 PIT | 35/39 SV | 0/0 SV |
Latest 12 of 16 meetings.
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
Oct 5 to Oct 11. 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.
Cam Talbot
2games
1.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.7 expected starts
- Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to GLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Casey DeSmith
3games
1.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.6 expected starts
- Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to Gvs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
- Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Cam Talbot or Casey DeSmith?
- In 2025-26, Cam Talbot posted a .883 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907. Against our expected-goals model, Talbot saved −7.4 goals and DeSmith +5.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Cam Talbot or Casey DeSmith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Casey DeSmith leads in 8 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Talbot and DeSmith done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, Talbot's team went 8–8.
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 →