Who to start · 2025-26
Carter Hart vs Joel Hofer
In 2025-26, Carter Hart posted a .891 save percentage to Joel Hofer's .910.
Against our expected-goals model, Hart saved −2.2 goals and Hofer +15.2.
This week Hart has 3 games left (about 2.1 expected starts) with 2 soft matchups; Hofer has 3 left (about 2.4 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Hart for 5.0 to Hofer's 4.2 over the games left.
Joel Hofer has the better number in 9 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Hart's biggest edges: Goals against 46, High-danger save % .792.
Hofer's biggest edges: Saves 1,137, Shutouts 6, Rebounds prevented /100 +2.70.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Carter Hart rates ahead, +2.5 to +2.2 in summed category z-scores.
- • Hart has played 6 of the Golden Knights' 9 games since Sep 29 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 6 GP, 4 W, .911 SV%.
- • Hofer has played 5 of the Blues' 7 games since Oct 2 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 5 GP, 2 W, .906 SV%.
Vegas Golden Knights · St. Louis Blues · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Carter Hart
+2.5
category z-score total
Joel Hofer
+2.2
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Carter Hart has the edge (Hart wins 1, Hofer wins 2 of 3 categories).
| Category | Hart | Hofer |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.63 | 0.49 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 2.60 | 2.56 |
| Save % | 0.897 | 0.909 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head: Hart vs Hofer
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Hart | Hofer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-02 | VGK 3–4 STL | 15/19 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2024-01-15 | PHI 4–2 STL | 28/30 SV | 38/41 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
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed and, for goalies, weighted by the chance he starts, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (W 4, GA -2, SV 0.2, SO 3, OTL 1). Use your league's scoring
Carter Hart
3games
5.0proj. ESPN default pts
About 2.1 expected starts
- Opp allows 7th-most FP to Gvs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
- Opp allows 10th-most FP to GLikely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
Joel Hofer
3games
4.2proj. ESPN default pts
About 2.4 expected starts
- Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to Gvs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to GLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Carter Hart or Joel Hofer?
- In 2025-26, Carter Hart posted a .891 save percentage to Joel Hofer's .910. Against our expected-goals model, Hart saved −2.2 goals and Hofer +15.2. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Carter Hart or Joel Hofer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Joel Hofer leads in 9 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Hart and Hofer done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Hart's team went 1–1.
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 →