Who to start · 2025-26
Andrei Vasilevskiy vs Leevi Meriläinen
In 2025-26, Andrei Vasilevskiy posted a .912 save percentage to Leevi Meriläinen's .860.
Against our expected-goals model, Vasilevskiy saved +19.5 goals and Meriläinen −19.3.
This week Vasilevskiy has 2 games left (about 1.2 expected starts) with 2 tough matchups; Meriläinen has 2 left (about 0.6 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Vasilevskiy for 2.4 to Meriläinen's 0.2 over the games left.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Vasilevskiy's biggest edges: Save % .912, Goals saved above expected +19.5, Goals-against average 2.31.
Meriläinen's biggest edges: Goals against 64.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Andrei Vasilevskiy rates ahead, +4.0 to -3.0 in summed category z-scores.
- • Vasilevskiy has played 6 of the Lightning's 7 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 6 GP, 4 W, .886 SV%.
- • Meriläinen has played 6 of the Canucks' 8 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 6 GP, 1 W, .925 SV%.
Tampa Bay Lightning · Vancouver Canucks · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Andrei Vasilevskiy
+4.0
category z-score total
Leevi Meriläinen
-3.0
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Andrei Vasilevskiy has the edge (Vasilevskiy wins 3, Meriläinen wins 0 of 3 categories).
| Category | Vasilevskiy | Meriläinen |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.67 | 0.33 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 2.37 | 3.22 |
| Save % | 0.905 | 0.879 |
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: Vasilevskiy vs Meriläinen
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vasilevskiy | Meriläinen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 | TBL 4–2 VAN | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-10-09 | TBL 4–5 OTT | 29/33 SV | 0/0 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
Andrei Vasilevskiy
3games (2 left)
2.4proj. ESPN default pts
About 1.2 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ VGKOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to Gvs Carter Hart (.891)
- Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
Leevi Meriläinen
3games (2 left)
0.2proj. ESPN default pts
About 0.6 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 vs CAROpp allows 11th-most FP to Gvs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
- Opp allows 3rd-most FP to GLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Andrei Vasilevskiy or Leevi Meriläinen?
- In 2025-26, Andrei Vasilevskiy posted a .912 save percentage to Leevi Meriläinen's .860. Against our expected-goals model, Vasilevskiy saved +19.5 goals and Meriläinen −19.3. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Andrei Vasilevskiy or Leevi Meriläinen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Andrei Vasilevskiy leads in 10 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Vasilevskiy and Meriläinen done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Vasilevskiy's team went 1–1.
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 →