Who to start · 2025-26
Casey DeSmith vs Dan Vladar
In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to Dan Vladar's .906.
Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Vladar +8.1.
This week DeSmith has 1 game left (about 0.9 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Vladar has 1 left (about 0.9 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. We project DeSmith for 2.4 ESPN points to Vladar's 1.7.
Dan Vladar has the better number in 7 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
DeSmith's biggest edges: Goals against 71, Shutouts 1, High-danger save % .830.
Vladar's biggest edges: Wins 29, Saves 1,162, Games started 51.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .816 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Casey DeSmith
2.16
fantasy points per game
Dan Vladar
2.18
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Dan Vladar has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeSmith | Vladar |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.00 | 2.23 |
| Goals against (-2) | -4.73 | -4.65 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.59 | 4.47 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.20 | 0.13 |
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: DeSmith vs Vladar
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeSmith | Vladar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-29 | DAL 1–2 PHI | 28/30 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-11-15 | DAL 5–1 PHI | 0/0 SV | 23/28 SV |
| 2025-03-27 | DAL 5–2 CGY | 46/48 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-03-06 | DAL 3–2 CGY | 0/0 SV | 24/27 SV |
| 2024-12-08 | DAL 6–2 CGY | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-02 | VAN 4–3 CGY | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-11-16 | VAN 2–5 CGY | 34/38 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-11-23 | PIT 2–1 CGY | 0/0 SV | 38/39 SV |
| 2022-10-25 | PIT 1–4 CGY | 32/36 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2021-11-29 | PIT 1–2 CGY | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2021-10-28 | PIT 0–4 CGY | 31/35 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2021-04-03 | PIT 5–7 BOS | 21/27 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
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.
Casey DeSmith
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
About 0.9 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B88% to start2.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-most FP to GSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Dan Vladar
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
About 0.9 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 7th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR88% to start1.7 ptsOpp allows 3rd-most FP to GSchedule edge +12.9 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Casey DeSmith or Dan Vladar?
- In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to Dan Vladar's .906. Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Vladar +8.1. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Casey DeSmith or Dan Vladar?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Dan Vladar leads in 7 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have DeSmith and Vladar done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, DeSmith'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 →