Edgehalla

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.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMarkstromErsson
Wins (+4)2.091.70
Goals against (-2)-5.91-5.88
Saves (+0.2)4.473.92
Shutouts (+3)0.070.00
OT losses (+1)0.020.15

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.

MarkstromErsson
2Team record in 8 meetings6

Games against each other

Games between Jacob Markstrom and Samuel Ersson
DateScoreMarkstromErsson
2026-04-07NJD 1–5 PHI15/19 SV0/0 SV
2025-11-29NJD 3–5 PHI27/31 SV0/0 SV
2025-11-22NJD 3–6 PHI0/0 SV0/0 SV
2025-03-09NJD 3–1 PHI0/0 SV0/0 SV
2025-01-18NJD 1–3 PHI0/0 SV12/13 SV
2024-01-06CGY 2–3 PHI39/42 SV0/0 SV
2023-12-31CGY 4–3 PHI28/31 SV29/32 SV
2023-02-20CGY 3–4 PHI18/22 SV32/35 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.

MarkstromErsson

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 @ CAR
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to GLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA76% to start1.1 pts
    Opp 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 pts
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to GLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)

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 →