Who to start · 2025-26
Juuse Saros vs Pyotr Kochetkov
In 2025-26, Juuse Saros posted a .893 save percentage to Pyotr Kochetkov's .899.
Against our expected-goals model, Saros saved −3.4 goals and Kochetkov −0.7.
This week Saros has 3 games left (about 2.4 expected starts) with 2 tough matchups; Kochetkov has 3 left (about 1.8 expected starts) with 2 tough matchups. In ESPN default points scoring we project Kochetkov for 3.8 to Saros's 2.7 over the games left.
Juuse Saros has the better number in 1 of the 1 stats both are ranked on.
Saros's biggest edges: Games started 59.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Pyotr Kochetkov rates ahead, +5.0 to -0.1 in summed category z-scores.
- • Saros has played 7 of the Predators' 8 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 7 GP, 3 W, .906 SV%.
- • Kochetkov has played 5 of the Hurricanes' 7 games since Oct 3 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 5 GP, 5 W, .912 SV%.
Nashville Predators · Carolina Hurricanes · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Juuse Saros
-0.1
category z-score total
Pyotr Kochetkov
+5.0
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Pyotr Kochetkov has the edge (Saros wins 0, Kochetkov wins 3 of 3 categories).
| Category | Saros | Kochetkov |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.46 | 0.75 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.05 | 2.19 |
| Save % | 0.898 | 0.903 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head: Saros vs Kochetkov
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 | Saros | Kochetkov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-17 | NSH 1–4 CAR | 33/36 SV | 25/26 SV |
| 2025-03-25 | NSH 3–1 CAR | 34/35 SV | 13/16 SV |
| 2024-12-23 | NSH 5–2 CAR | 25/27 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-27 | NSH 2–5 CAR | 14/19 SV | 35/37 SV |
| 2023-12-15 | NSH 6–5 CAR | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-05 | NSH 5–3 CAR | 64/67 SV | 20/24 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
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed and, for goalies, weighted by the chance he starts, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (W 4, GA -2, SV 0.2, SO 3, OTL 1). Use your league's scoring
Juuse Saros
3games
2.7proj. ESPN default pts
About 2.4 expected starts
- Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Opp allows 16th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Pyotr Kochetkov
3games
3.8proj. ESPN default pts
About 1.8 expected starts
- Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to Gvs Leevi Meriläinen (.860)
- Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Juuse Saros or Pyotr Kochetkov?
- In 2025-26, Juuse Saros posted a .893 save percentage to Pyotr Kochetkov's .899. Against our expected-goals model, Saros saved −3.4 goals and Kochetkov −0.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Juuse Saros or Pyotr Kochetkov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Juuse Saros leads in 1 of 1 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Saros and Kochetkov done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Saros's team went 4–2.
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 →