Who to start · 2025-26
Jacob Markstrom vs Samuel Ersson
In 2025-26, Jacob Markstrom posted a .883 save percentage to Samuel Ersson's .870.
Against our expected-goals model, Markstrom saved −13.7 goals and Ersson −13.0.
This week Markstrom has 1 game left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; Ersson has 1 left (about 0.1 expected starts). We project Markstrom for 1.1 ESPN points to Ersson's 0.1.
Jacob Markstrom has the better number in 7 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Markstrom's biggest edges: Saves 983, Wins 23, Shutouts 1.
Ersson's biggest edges: Overtime losses 5, Goals against 97, Rebounds prevented /100 +1.53.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, 1.000 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jacob Markstrom
0.74
fantasy points per game
Samuel Ersson
-0.11
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jacob Markstrom has the edge.
| Points per game from | Markstrom | Ersson |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.09 | 1.70 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.91 | -5.88 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.47 | 3.92 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.07 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.02 | 0.15 |
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: Markstrom vs Ersson
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 | Markstrom | Ersson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | NJD 1–5 PHI | 15/19 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-11-29 | NJD 3–5 PHI | 27/31 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-11-22 | NJD 3–6 PHI | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-03-09 | NJD 3–1 PHI | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-18 | NJD 1–3 PHI | 0/0 SV | 12/13 SV |
| 2024-01-06 | CGY 2–3 PHI | 39/42 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-31 | CGY 4–3 PHI | 28/31 SV | 29/32 SV |
| 2023-02-20 | CGY 3–4 PHI | 18/22 SV | 32/35 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.
Jacob Markstrom
3games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 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 @ ANA76% to start1.1 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
Samuel Ersson
1games
0.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.1 expected starts
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TOR9% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to GLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jacob Markstrom or Samuel Ersson?
- In 2025-26, Jacob Markstrom posted a .883 save percentage to Samuel Ersson's .870. Against our expected-goals model, Markstrom saved −13.7 goals and Ersson −13.0. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Jacob Markstrom or Samuel Ersson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jacob Markstrom leads in 7 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Markstrom and Ersson done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Markstrom's team went 2–6.
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 →

