Who to start · 2025-26
Dan Vladar vs Darcy Kuemper
In 2025-26, Dan Vladar posted a .906 save percentage to Darcy Kuemper's .891.
Against our expected-goals model, Vladar saved +8.1 goals and Kuemper −8.7.
This week Vladar has 1 game left (about 0.7 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Kuemper has 1 left (about 0.8 expected starts). We project Vladar for 1.4 ESPN points to Kuemper's 1.0.
Dan Vladar has the better number in 9 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Vladar's biggest edges: Goals saved above expected +8.1, Goals-against average 2.42, Save % .906.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Shutouts 3, Overtime losses 15.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .816 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .724 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Dan Vladar
1.57
fantasy points per game
Darcy Kuemper
0.27
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Dan Vladar has the edge.
| Points per game from | Vladar | Kuemper |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.09 | 1.43 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.24 | -6.03 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.58 | 4.39 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.00 | 0.18 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.13 | 0.30 |
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: Vladar vs Kuemper
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vladar | Kuemper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-19 | PHI 4–3 LAK | 0/0 SV | 17/20 SV |
| 2026-01-31 | PHI 2–3 LAK | 18/21 SV | 19/21 SV |
| 2025-01-11 | CGY 2–1 LAK | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-04-17 | CGY 5–1 LAK | 30/31 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-11-11 | CGY 3–1 LAK | 0/0 SV | 25/27 SV |
| 2024-03-18 | CGY 2–5 WSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-10-16 | CGY 2–3 WSH | 0/0 SV | 38/40 SV |
| 2022-12-03 | CGY 5–2 WSH | 27/29 SV | 24/26 SV |
| 2022-11-25 | CGY 0–3 WSH | 0/0 SV | 32/32 SV |
| 2022-03-29 | CGY 1–2 COL | 0/0 SV | 44/45 SV |
| 2022-03-13 | CGY 0–3 COL | 29/31 SV | 46/46 SV |
| 2022-03-05 | CGY 4–3 COL | 33/36 SV | 12/15 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
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.
Dan Vladar
3games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
About 0.7 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 CAR75% to start1.4 ptsOpp allows 3rd-most FP to GSchedule edge +12.2 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Darcy Kuemper
2games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ COLOpp allows the fewest FP to GLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS82% to start1.0 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Dan Vladar or Darcy Kuemper?
- In 2025-26, Dan Vladar posted a .906 save percentage to Darcy Kuemper's .891. Against our expected-goals model, Vladar saved +8.1 goals and Kuemper −8.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Dan Vladar or Darcy Kuemper?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Dan Vladar 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 Vladar and Kuemper done against each other?
- In 12 games against each other in our data, Vladar's team went 6–6.
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 →