Joel Hofer or Juuse Saros? Week 3
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Juuse Saros. Juuse Saros counts 1.6 projected starts to 1.2 for Joel Hofer, for 3.9 projected fantasy points against 3.7. Who to start in fantasy hockey in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), Gs ranked 10th and 12th at the position.
The Week 3 call
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Juuse Saros. Juuse Saros counts 1.6 projected starts to 1.2 for Joel Hofer, for 3.9 projected fantasy points against 3.7.
Categories leagues: Joel Hofer instead, 7.0 category value for the week to -5.9, because his category mix is worth more there.
Joel Hofer: he started 3 of STL's last 5 games, so 1.2 projected starts from 2 games in Week 3 (Oct 12-18). The NHL does not confirm starters in advance; this is a projection.
Juuse Saros: he started 4 of NSH's last 5 games, so 1.6 projected starts from 2 games in Week 3 (Oct 12-18). The NHL does not confirm starters in advance; this is a projection.
This is the call for one lineup slot across the week, the way weekly-lock leagues play it. In a daily-lineup league, start whichever of the two plays that night, and both when they fit.
Week 3 (Oct 12-18), side by side
| This week | Joel Hofer | Juuse Saros |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Projected starts | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Back-to-backs | 0 | 0 |
| Games, Week 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Start share used | 60% | 80% |
| Starts, last team games | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Save % | .913 | .899 |
| GAA | 2.44 | 3.07 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Projected category value | 7.0 | -5.9 |
Schedule: Joel Hofer Tue @OTT, Thu @MIN, Sat @NSH. Juuse Saros Tue VGK, Thu SJS, Sat STL.
Projections are the board's per-game value times the games counted. A skater listed out, or who missed his team's last three games, counts none. A goalie counts his team's games times his share of its recent starts. Lines and power-play units are by ice time over the team's last five games. Stats and schedule from the NHL; injury designations from ESPN's public NHL injury list.
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The rest-of-season call
Season-long, points leagues: Juuse Saros, 1.78 fantasy points per team game to 1.67.
Categories leagues: Joel Hofer instead, 30th overall against 182nd, because the categories reward a different mix.
| Category (z per game) | Joel Hofer | Juuse Saros |
|---|---|---|
| W wins | -0.4 | 0.5 |
| SO shutouts | 2.0 | -1.3 |
| GAA goals-against average | 0.6 | -1.7 |
| SV% save percentage | 0.9 | -0.3 |
Other close calls
Week 3 streamers and goalie starts · NHL waiver wire · Rest-of-season rankings
Common questions
Should I start Joel Hofer or Juuse Saros in Week 3?
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Juuse Saros. Juuse Saros counts 1.6 projected starts to 1.2 for Joel Hofer, for 3.9 projected fantasy points against 3.7. Categories leagues: Joel Hofer instead, 7.0 category value for the week to -5.9, because his category mix is worth more there. Joel Hofer: he started 3 of STL's last 5 games, so 1.2 projected starts from 2 games in Week 3 (Oct 12-18). The NHL does not confirm starters in advance; this is a projection. Juuse Saros: he started 4 of NSH's last 5 games, so 1.6 projected starts from 2 games in Week 3 (Oct 12-18). The NHL does not confirm starters in advance; this is a projection.
Who is better for the rest of the season, Joel Hofer or Juuse Saros?
Season-long, points leagues: Juuse Saros, 1.78 fantasy points per team game to 1.67. Categories leagues: Joel Hofer instead, 30th overall against 182nd, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Joel Hofer or Juuse Saros?
Joel Hofer is ahead per game in 3 (shutouts, goals-against average, save percentage); Juuse Saros in 1 (wins).
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number