Who to start · 2025-26
Darcy Kuemper vs Igor Shesterkin
In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Igor Shesterkin's .912.
Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Shesterkin +18.8.
This week Kuemper has 1 game left (about 0.2 expected starts); Shesterkin has 1 left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Shesterkin for 1.5 ESPN points to Kuemper's 0.3.
Igor Shesterkin has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 +0.18, Shutouts 3, Overtime losses 15.
Shesterkin's biggest edges: Goals saved above expected +18.8, Save % .912, High-danger save % .843.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .724 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 W, .936 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darcy Kuemper
0.27
fantasy points per game
Igor Shesterkin
2.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Igor Shesterkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kuemper | Shesterkin |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.43 | 1.97 |
| Goals against (-2) | -6.03 | -4.71 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.39 | 5.01 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.18 | 0.06 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.30 | 0.12 |
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: Kuemper vs Shesterkin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kuemper | Shesterkin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | LAK 4–1 NYR | 21/22 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2025-03-25 | LAK 3–1 NYR | 22/23 SV | 30/32 SV |
| 2024-12-14 | LAK 5–1 NYR | 31/32 SV | 16/21 SV |
| 2024-04-28 · PO | WSH 2–4 NYR | 0/0 SV | 23/25 SV |
| 2024-04-26 · PO | WSH 1–3 NYR | 0/0 SV | 29/30 SV |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | WSH 3–4 NYR | 0/0 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2024-04-21 · PO | WSH 1–4 NYR | 0/0 SV | 20/21 SV |
| 2024-01-14 | WSH 1–2 NYR | 0/0 SV | 24/25 SV |
| 2024-01-13 | WSH 3–2 NYR | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-27 | WSH 1–5 NYR | 26/31 SV | 26/27 SV |
| 2023-12-09 | WSH 4–0 NYR | 0/0 SV | 25/29 SV |
| 2023-04-02 | WSH 2–5 NYR | 29/34 SV | 26/28 SV |
Latest 12 of 15 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.
Darcy Kuemper
2games (1 left)
0.3proj. ESPN pts
About 0.2 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ COLOpp allows the fewest FP to GLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS22% to start0.3 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −3.2 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
Igor Shesterkin
4games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOSOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBLOpp allows 2nd-most FP to GLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BOpp allows 3rd-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA81% to start1.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darcy Kuemper or Igor Shesterkin?
- In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Igor Shesterkin's .912. Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Shesterkin +18.8. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Darcy Kuemper or Igor Shesterkin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Igor Shesterkin 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 Kuemper and Shesterkin done against each other?
- In 15 games against each other in our data, Kuemper's team went 7–8.
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 →