Starter workload: NHL team rankings
Starts · 2025-26 regular season · No. 1 start share
Share of the team's games started by its most-used goalie.
In 2025-26, the Utah Mammoth rank 1st in No. 1 start share (starts) at 76.8%, the highest mark in the NHL. The Vegas Golden Knights sit 32nd at 35.4%. The league average is 59.0%.
All 32 teams by No. 1 start share
Highest first. Each team links to No. 1 start share on its own stats page.
| Rk | Team | Gap to league average | No. 1 start share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Utah MammothUTA | 76.8% | |
| 2 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | 72.0% | |
| 3 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | 70.7% | |
| 3 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | 70.7% | |
| 5 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | 69.5% | |
| 5 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | 69.5% | |
| 7 |  Anaheim DucksANA | 67.1% | |
| 7 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | 67.1% | |
| 7 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | 67.1% | |
| 10 |  Boston BruinsBOS | 65.9% | |
| 10 |  Dallas StarsDAL | 65.9% | |
| 10 |  New York IslandersNYI | 65.9% | |
| 13 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | 64.6% | |
| 14 |  Florida PanthersFLA | 62.2% | |
| 14 |  New York RangersNYR | 62.2% | |
| 14 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | 62.2% | |
| 17 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | 61.0% | |
| 18 |  Minnesota WildMIN | 59.8% | |
| 18 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | 59.8% | |
| 20 |  San Jose SharksSJS | 57.3% | |
| 21 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | 56.1% | |
| 22 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | 52.4% | |
| 22 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | 52.4% | |
| 22 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | 52.4% | |
| 22 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | 52.4% | |
| 26 |  Montreal CanadiensMTL | 51.2% | |
| 27 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | 47.6% | |
| 28 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | 46.3% | |
| 28 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | 46.3% | |
| 30 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | 41.5% | |
| 31 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | 36.6% | |
| 32 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | 35.4% |
- Above league average
- Below
How we calculate team No. 1 start share
From the starting goalie recorded for each team game: the top goalie's starts divided by all starts.
Why it matters for fantasy hockey
The base rate for start probability. A 75% workhorse is a weekly lock; a 55% tandem means checking confirmed starters every day.
How to read it
Above 70% is a clear No. 1. Below 60% is a tandem. Back-to-backs push almost every team toward its backup.
Limitations
Injuries change workloads mid-season; the goalie start planner uses recent starts and the schedule for the week ahead.
Go deeper
More goalies stats
- Goals saved above expected (GSAx)Expected goals against minus goals allowed by the team's goalies. Positive means they stopped more than expected.
- High-danger save % (HDSV%)Save percentage on high-danger shots on goal, team goalies combined (NHL Edge shot classes).
- Rebound controlRebounds prevented per 100 saves compared with what the shots faced would produce on average.
FAQ
- Which NHL team ranks first in No. 1 start share in 2025-26?
- The Utah Mammoth rank 1st with the highest No. 1 start share in the NHL, 76.8%. The top three: Utah Mammoth (76.8%), Nashville Predators (72.0%), Tampa Bay Lightning (70.7%).
- How many games does an NHL starting goalie play?
- A true No. 1 starts 55–65 games, about 70–80% of the schedule. Few goalies now go past 65.
- How do I predict goalie starts?
- Start from the team's workload, then adjust for back-to-backs and rest. The goalie start planner does this for every team each week.
Ranks are among the 32 current teams; 1st is the highest value. Regular season only, updated through the latest processed games.