Who to start · 2025-26
Jake Oettinger vs Juuse Saros
In 2025-26, Jake Oettinger posted a .899 save percentage to Juuse Saros's .893.
Against our expected-goals model, Oettinger saved +2.7 goals and Saros −3.4.
This week Oettinger has 1 game left (about 0.0 expected starts); Saros has 1 left (about 0.9 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. We project Saros for 1.2 ESPN points to Oettinger's 0.1.
Jake Oettinger has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Oettinger's biggest edges: Shutouts 4, Goals-against average 2.59, High-danger save % .822.
Saros's biggest edges: Saves 1,519, Overtime losses 8, Games started 59.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .909 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .900 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake Oettinger
2.26
fantasy points per game
Juuse Saros
0.95
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jake Oettinger has the edge.
| Points per game from | Oettinger | Saros |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.43 | 1.78 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.04 | -6.13 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.53 | 5.16 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.22 | 0.00 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.11 | 0.14 |
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: Oettinger vs Saros
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Oettinger | Saros |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-28 | DAL 3–2 NSH | 25/27 SV | 22/25 SV |
| 2025-11-08 | DAL 5–4 NSH | 17/21 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-10-26 | DAL 3–2 NSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-04-16 | DAL 1–5 NSH | 17/22 SV | 29/30 SV |
| 2025-04-03 | DAL 5–1 NSH | 28/29 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-12-12 | DAL 1–4 NSH | 22/25 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-15 | DAL 9–2 NSH | 20/22 SV | 14/18 SV |
| 2024-01-12 | DAL 3–6 NSH | 32/36 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-04-03 | DAL 5–1 NSH | 0/0 SV | 21/26 SV |
| 2022-12-27 | DAL 3–2 NSH | 26/28 SV | 30/33 SV |
| 2022-10-15 | DAL 5–1 NSH | 29/30 SV | 17/21 SV |
| 2022-10-13 | DAL 4–1 NSH | 31/32 SV | 25/29 SV |
Latest 12 of 22 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.
Jake Oettinger
2games (1 left)
0.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.0 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 13th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B3% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 11th-most FP to GSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Juuse Saros
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
About 0.9 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MINOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL90% to start1.2 ptsOpp allows the most FP to GSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Casey DeSmith (.907)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake Oettinger or Juuse Saros?
- In 2025-26, Jake Oettinger posted a .899 save percentage to Juuse Saros's .893. Against our expected-goals model, Oettinger saved +2.7 goals and Saros −3.4. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Jake Oettinger or Juuse Saros?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jake Oettinger 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 Oettinger and Saros done against each other?
- In 22 games against each other in our data, Oettinger's team went 13–9.
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 →