Who to start · 2025-26
Darcy Kuemper vs Kevin Lankinen
In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Kevin Lankinen's .875.
Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Lankinen −18.2.
This week Kuemper has 1 game left (about 0.2 expected starts); Lankinen has 2 left (about 1.0 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. We project Lankinen for 0.5 ESPN points to Kuemper's 0.3.
Darcy Kuemper has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Shutouts 3, Goals-against average 2.78, High-danger save % .812.
Lankinen's biggest edges: Saves 1,125.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .724 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 W, .789 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darcy Kuemper
0.27
fantasy points per game
Kevin Lankinen
-1.62
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Darcy Kuemper has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kuemper | Lankinen |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.43 | 1.06 |
| Goals against (-2) | -6.03 | -7.54 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.39 | 4.75 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.18 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.30 | 0.11 |
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 Lankinen
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 | Kuemper | Lankinen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-14 | LAK 3–4 VAN | 21/25 SV | 31/34 SV |
| 2026-03-26 | LAK 4–0 VAN | 19/19 SV | 34/37 SV |
| 2025-11-29 | LAK 2–1 VAN | 0/0 SV | 21/23 SV |
| 2025-02-26 | LAK 2–3 VAN | 0/0 SV | 24/26 SV |
| 2025-01-16 | LAK 5–1 VAN | 20/21 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-11-07 | LAK 2–4 VAN | 19/22 SV | 26/28 SV |
| 2023-12-16 | WSH 1–3 NSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-06 | WSH 2–3 NSH | 0/0 SV | 30/32 SV |
| 2022-10-29 | WSH 3–0 NSH | 34/34 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2021-10-13 | COL 4–2 CHI | 32/34 SV | 0/0 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.
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)
Kevin Lankinen
4games (2 left)
0.5proj. ESPN pts
About 1.0 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ EDMOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs EDMOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Devon Levi (.682)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY18% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 4th-most FP to GSchedule edge −3.4 win%Likely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B79% to start0.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Carter Hart (.891)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darcy Kuemper or Kevin Lankinen?
- In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Kevin Lankinen's .875. Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Lankinen −18.2. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Darcy Kuemper or Kevin Lankinen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Darcy Kuemper leads in 10 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 Lankinen done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Kuemper's team went 5–5.
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 →