Who to start · 2025-26
Igor Shesterkin vs Kevin Lankinen
In 2025-26, Igor Shesterkin posted a .912 save percentage to Kevin Lankinen's .875.
Against our expected-goals model, Shesterkin saved +18.8 goals and Lankinen −18.2.
This week Shesterkin has 1 game left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; Lankinen has 2 left (about 1.0 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. We project Shesterkin for 1.5 ESPN points to Lankinen's 0.5.
Igor Shesterkin has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Shesterkin's biggest edges: Goals saved above expected +18.8, Goals-against average 2.50, Save % .912.
Lankinen's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 −0.25.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 W, .936 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 W, .789 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Igor Shesterkin
2.44
fantasy points per game
Kevin Lankinen
-1.62
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Igor Shesterkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Shesterkin | Lankinen |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.97 | 1.06 |
| Goals against (-2) | -4.71 | -7.54 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 5.01 | 4.75 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.06 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.12 | 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: Shesterkin vs Lankinen
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 | Shesterkin | Lankinen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-16 | NYR 0–3 VAN | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-10-28 | NYR 2–0 VAN | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-03-22 | NYR 5–3 VAN | 36/39 SV | 7/11 SV |
| 2024-11-19 | NYR 4–3 VAN | 21/24 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-02 | NYR 4–3 NSH | 37/40 SV | 21/25 SV |
| 2023-10-19 | NYR 1–4 NSH | 14/18 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-03-19 | NYR 7–0 NSH | 0/0 SV | 1/5 SV |
| 2022-11-12 | NYR 1–2 NSH | 0/0 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.
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)
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 Igor Shesterkin or Kevin Lankinen?
- In 2025-26, Igor Shesterkin posted a .912 save percentage to Kevin Lankinen's .875. Against our expected-goals model, Shesterkin saved +18.8 goals and Lankinen −18.2. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Igor Shesterkin or Kevin Lankinen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Igor Shesterkin 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 Shesterkin and Lankinen done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Shesterkin's team went 5–3.
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 →