Who to start · 2025-26
Dan Vladar vs Elvis Merzlikins
In 2025-26, Dan Vladar posted a .906 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883.
Against our expected-goals model, Vladar saved +8.1 goals and Merzlikins −7.7.
This week Vladar has 1 game left (about 0.0 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Merzlikins has 1 left (about 0.0 expected starts). We project Vladar for 0.1 ESPN points to Merzlikins's 0.0.
Dan Vladar has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Vladar's biggest edges: Goals-against average 2.42, Rebounds prevented /100 +1.09, Save % .906.
Merzlikins's biggest edges: Shutouts 1, Goals against 95, High-danger save % .831.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .816 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Dan Vladar
2.18
fantasy points per game
Elvis Merzlikins
0.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Dan Vladar has the edge.
| Points per game from | Vladar | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.23 | 1.87 |
| Goals against (-2) | -4.65 | -6.33 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.47 | 4.78 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.13 | 0.10 |
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: Vladar vs Merzlikins
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.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vladar | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-24 | PHI 2–3 CBJ | 16/19 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2026-03-14 | PHI 1–2 CBJ | 27/28 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2026-01-28 | PHI 3–5 CBJ | 26/30 SV | 24/27 SV |
| 2024-12-03 | CGY 3–0 CBJ | 16/16 SV | 19/21 SV |
| 2024-11-29 | CGY 2–5 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 27/29 SV |
| 2024-01-25 | CGY 2–5 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-10-20 | CGY 1–3 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-23 | CGY 4–3 CBJ | 22/25 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2022-12-09 | CGY 1–3 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 19/20 SV |
| 2022-01-26 | CGY 6–0 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 56/62 SV |
| 2022-02-15 | CGY 6–2 CBJ | 18/20 SV | 35/41 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
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.
Dan Vladar
3games (1 left)
0.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.0 expected starts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR3% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to GSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Elvis Merzlikins
3games (1 left)
0.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.0 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTLOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BOpp allows 6th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT4% to start0.0 ptsvs Linus Ullmark (.891)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Dan Vladar or Elvis Merzlikins?
- In 2025-26, Dan Vladar posted a .906 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883. Against our expected-goals model, Vladar saved +8.1 goals and Merzlikins −7.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Dan Vladar or Elvis Merzlikins?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Dan Vladar 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 Vladar and Merzlikins done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Vladar's team went 4–7.
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 →