Who to start · 2025-26
Darcy Kuemper vs Jacob Markstrom
In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Jacob Markstrom's .883.
Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Markstrom −13.7.
This week Kuemper has 1 game left (about 0.2 expected starts); Markstrom has 1 left (about 0.7 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Markstrom for 1.0 ESPN points to Kuemper's 0.2.
Darcy Kuemper has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Overtime losses 15, Shutouts 3, Save % .891.
Markstrom's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 +1.21, Wins 23, Goals against 130.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .724 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, 1.000 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darcy Kuemper
0.27
fantasy points per game
Jacob Markstrom
1.14
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jacob Markstrom has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kuemper | Markstrom |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.43 | 2.21 |
| Goals against (-2) | -6.03 | -5.54 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.39 | 4.38 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.18 | 0.07 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.30 | 0.02 |
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 Markstrom
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 | Kuemper | Markstrom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-14 | LAK 4–6 NJD | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-11-01 | LAK 1–4 NJD | 18/21 SV | 43/44 SV |
| 2025-01-01 | LAK 3–0 NJD | 33/33 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-12-12 | LAK 1–3 NJD | 0/0 SV | 13/14 SV |
| 2023-10-16 | WSH 3–2 CGY | 38/40 SV | 21/23 SV |
| 2022-12-03 | WSH 2–5 CGY | 24/26 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-11-25 | WSH 3–0 CGY | 32/32 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2022-03-29 | COL 2–1 CGY | 44/45 SV | 28/30 SV |
| 2022-03-13 | COL 3–0 CGY | 46/46 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-03-05 | COL 3–4 CGY | 12/15 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2019-02-28 | ARI 5–2 VAN | 37/39 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2019-02-21 | ARI 3–2 VAN | 30/32 SV | 35/38 SV |
Latest 12 of 21 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)
0.2proj. ESPN pts
About 0.2 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ COLOpp allows the fewest FP to GLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS20% to start0.2 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −3.3 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
Jacob Markstrom
3games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.7 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ CAROpp allows 5th-most FP to GLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ SJSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA70% to start1.0 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darcy Kuemper or Jacob Markstrom?
- In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Jacob Markstrom's .883. Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Markstrom −13.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Darcy Kuemper or Jacob Markstrom?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Darcy Kuemper 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 Markstrom done against each other?
- In 21 games against each other in our data, Kuemper's team went 12–9.
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 →