Who to start · 2025-26
Daniil Tarasov vs Elvis Merzlikins
In 2025-26, Daniil Tarasov posted a .895 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883.
Against our expected-goals model, Tarasov saved −3.3 goals and Merzlikins −7.7.
This week Tarasov has 1 game left (about 0.2 expected starts); Merzlikins has 1 left (about 0.1 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Tarasov for 0.2 ESPN points to Merzlikins's 0.1.
Daniil Tarasov has the better number in 7 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Tarasov's biggest edges: Rebounds prevented /100 −0.38, Save % .895, Goals-against average 3.05.
Merzlikins's biggest edges: Shutouts 1, Wins 14, Goals against 95.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Daniil Tarasov
0.81
fantasy points per game
Elvis Merzlikins
0.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Daniil Tarasov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Tarasov | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.58 | 1.87 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.88 | -6.33 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 5.02 | 4.78 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.09 | 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: Tarasov vs Merzlikins
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Tarasov | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | FLA 2–1 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 19/21 SV |
| 2026-03-05 | FLA 2–4 CBJ | 24/27 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-12-06 | FLA 7–6 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 33/40 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.
Daniil Tarasov
3games (1 left)
0.2proj. ESPN pts
About 0.2 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ CAROpp allows 3rd-most FP to GLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ SJSOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA20% to start0.2 ptsLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
Elvis Merzlikins
2games (1 left)
0.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.1 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 11th-most FP to GLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA8% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Daniil Tarasov or Elvis Merzlikins?
- In 2025-26, Daniil Tarasov posted a .895 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883. Against our expected-goals model, Tarasov saved −3.3 goals and Merzlikins −7.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Daniil Tarasov or Elvis Merzlikins?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Daniil Tarasov leads in 7 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Tarasov and Merzlikins done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Tarasov's team went 2–1.
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 →