Who to start · 2025-26
Casey DeSmith vs Juuse Saros
In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to Juuse Saros's .893.
Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Saros −3.4.
This week DeSmith has 2 games left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Saros has 1 left (about 0.8 expected starts). We project DeSmith for 2.0 ESPN points to Saros's 0.9.
Casey DeSmith has the better number in 7 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
DeSmith's biggest edges: Goals against 71, Goals-against average 2.43, High-danger save % .830.
Saros's biggest edges: Saves 1,519, Games started 59, Wins 28.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .900 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Casey DeSmith
2.16
fantasy points per game
Juuse Saros
1.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Casey DeSmith has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeSmith | Saros |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.00 | 1.90 |
| Goals against (-2) | -4.73 | -6.14 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.59 | 5.15 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.20 | 0.14 |
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 Saros
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 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 | Saros |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-28 | DAL 3–2 NSH | 0/0 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2025-11-08 | DAL 5–4 NSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-10-26 | DAL 3–2 NSH | 23/25 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-04-16 | DAL 1–5 NSH | 12/12 SV | 29/30 SV |
| 2025-04-03 | DAL 5–1 NSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-12-12 | DAL 1–4 NSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-05-03 · PO | VAN 1–0 NSH | 0/0 SV | 28/29 SV |
| 2024-04-30 · PO | VAN 1–2 NSH | 0/0 SV | 19/20 SV |
| 2024-04-26 · PO | VAN 2–1 NSH | 29/30 SV | 10/12 SV |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | VAN 1–4 NSH | 12/15 SV | 17/18 SV |
| 2024-04-21 · PO | VAN 4–2 NSH | 0/0 SV | 17/20 SV |
| 2023-12-19 | VAN 5–2 NSH | 26/28 SV | 19/24 SV |
Latest 12 of 18 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 ptsvs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B74% to start2.0 ptsOpp allows 8th-most FP to GSchedule edge −12.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Juuse Saros
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MINOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL84% to start0.9 ptsSchedule edge +12.4 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Casey DeSmith or Juuse Saros?
- In 2025-26, Casey DeSmith posted a .907 save percentage to Juuse Saros's .893. Against our expected-goals model, DeSmith saved +5.5 goals and Saros −3.4. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Casey DeSmith or Juuse Saros?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Casey DeSmith 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 Saros done against each other?
- In 18 games against each other in our data, DeSmith's team went 13–5.
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 →