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Who to start · 2025-26

Connor Hellebuyck vs Karel Vejmelka

In 2025-26, Connor Hellebuyck posted a .895 save percentage to Karel Vejmelka's .897.

Against our expected-goals model, Hellebuyck saved +1.1 goals and Vejmelka +7.0.

This week Hellebuyck has 2 games left; Vejmelka has 2 left (about 1.5 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup.

Karel Vejmelka has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.

Hellebuyck's biggest edges: Overtime losses 11, High-danger save % .809, Goals against 162.

Vejmelka's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 +0.88, Shutouts 2, Wins 38.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, 1.000 SV%.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor Hellebuyck

0.98

fantasy points per game

Karel Vejmelka

1.79

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Karel Vejmelka has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromHellebuyckVejmelka
Wins (+4)1.612.38
Goals against (-2)-5.68-5.28
Saves (+0.2)4.864.56
Shutouts (+3)0.000.09
OT losses (+1)0.190.05

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: Hellebuyck vs Vejmelka

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

HellebuyckVejmelka
12Team record in 18 meetings6

Games against each other

Games between Connor Hellebuyck and Karel Vejmelka
DateScoreHellebuyckVejmelka
2026-04-14WPG 3–5 UTA0/0 SV21/24 SV
2025-12-21WPG 3–4 UTA18/22 SV23/26 SV
2025-10-26WPG 2–3 UTA29/32 SV0/0 SV
2025-04-05WPG 1–4 UTA24/27 SV32/33 SV
2025-01-24WPG 5–2 UTA17/19 SV0/0 SV
2025-01-20WPG 2–5 UTA23/27 SV0/0 SV
2024-11-05WPG 3–0 UTA21/21 SV25/27 SV
2024-02-25WPG 4–3 ARI29/32 SV0/0 SV
2024-01-07WPG 6–2 ARI15/17 SV30/35 SV
2023-11-18WPG 5–2 ARI0/0 SV21/25 SV
2023-11-04WPG 5–3 ARI22/25 SV22/27 SV
2023-03-21WPG 2–1 ARI29/30 SV23/25 SV

Latest 12 of 18 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.

HellebuyckVejmelka

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.

Connor Hellebuyck

2games

  • Fri, Oct 2 vs BOS
    Opp allows 10th-fewest FP to G
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ DET29% to start0.7 pts
    Schedule edge −2.9 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)

Karel Vejmelka

3games (2 left)

3.3proj. ESPN pts

About 1.5 expected starts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to GLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ86% to start1.5 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B67% to start1.8 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)

FAQ

Should I start Connor Hellebuyck or Karel Vejmelka?
In 2025-26, Connor Hellebuyck posted a .895 save percentage to Karel Vejmelka's .897. Against our expected-goals model, Hellebuyck saved +1.1 goals and Vejmelka +7.0. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
Who is better, Connor Hellebuyck or Karel Vejmelka?
On 2025-26 numbers, Karel Vejmelka 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 Hellebuyck and Vejmelka done against each other?
In 18 games against each other in our data, Hellebuyck's team went 12–6.

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 →