Who to start · 2025-26
Casey DeSmith vs David Rittich
In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to David Rittich's .894.
Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Rittich +4.3.
This week DeSmith has 2 games left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Rittich has 1 left (about 0.2 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. We project DeSmith for 2.0 ESPN points to Rittich's 0.3.
Casey DeSmith has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
DeSmith's biggest edges: Overtime losses 6, Goals-against average 2.43, High-danger save % .830.
Rittich's biggest edges: Shutouts 2, Rebounds prevented /100 +1.00.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Casey DeSmith
2.16
fantasy points per game
David Rittich
1.39
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Casey DeSmith has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeSmith | Rittich |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.00 | 1.87 |
| Goals against (-2) | -4.73 | -5.07 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.59 | 4.29 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.10 | 0.20 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.20 | 0.10 |
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 Rittich
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 | DeSmith | Rittich |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | DAL 1–2 NYI | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-11-18 | DAL 2–3 NYI | 0/0 SV | 22/24 SV |
| 2025-02-28 | DAL 6–2 LAK | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-02-07 | DAL 4–5 LAK | 0/0 SV | 26/30 SV |
| 2024-12-04 | DAL 2–3 LAK | 0/0 SV | 26/28 SV |
| 2024-04-06 | VAN 3–6 LAK | 23/29 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-03-25 | VAN 2–3 LAK | 16/19 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-03-05 | VAN 2–1 LAK | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-29 | VAN 1–5 LAK | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-13 | PIT 1–4 WPG | 0/0 SV | 22/23 SV |
| 2022-11-19 | PIT 3–0 WPG | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-04-10 | PIT 3–2 NSH | 33/35 SV | 27/30 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
2.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STL3% to start0.1 ptsSchedule edge +3.5 win%Likely vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B74% to start2.0 ptsOpp allows 8th-most FP to GSchedule edge −12.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
David Rittich
2games (1 left)
0.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
About 0.2 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 10th-most FP to GSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD17% to start0.3 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to GLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Casey DeSmith or David Rittich?
- In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to David Rittich's .894. Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Rittich +4.3. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Casey DeSmith or David Rittich?
- 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 DeSmith and Rittich done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, DeSmith's team went 6–10.
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 →