Who to start · 2025-26
Darcy Kuemper vs Elvis Merzlikins
In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883.
Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Merzlikins −7.7.
This week Kuemper has 1 game left; Merzlikins has 1 left.
Darcy Kuemper has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Overtime losses 15, Rebounds prevented /100 +0.18, Goals-against average 2.78.
Merzlikins's biggest edges: Goals against 95, High-danger save % .831, Goals saved above expected −7.7.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 W, .724 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darcy Kuemper
1.04
fantasy points per game
Elvis Merzlikins
0.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Darcy Kuemper has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kuemper | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.52 | 1.87 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.36 | -6.33 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.40 | 4.78 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.18 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.30 | 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: Kuemper vs Merzlikins
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kuemper | Merzlikins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-09 | LAK 5–4 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-25 | LAK 2–3 CBJ | 21/24 SV | 31/33 SV |
| 2024-11-09 | LAK 5–2 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 18/22 SV |
| 2023-12-21 | WSH 3–2 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 29/32 SV |
| 2023-11-18 | WSH 4–3 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 22/26 SV |
| 2023-11-04 | WSH 2–1 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 25/27 SV |
| 2023-01-31 | WSH 4–3 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-01-08 | WSH 1–0 CBJ | 38/38 SV | 18/19 SV |
| 2023-01-05 | WSH 6–2 CBJ | 25/27 SV | 31/37 SV |
| 2021-11-06 | COL 2–4 CBJ | 38/41 SV | 34/36 SV |
| 2021-11-03 | COL 4–5 CBJ | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2019-12-03 | ARI 4–2 CBJ | 33/35 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
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.
Darcy Kuemper
2games (1 left)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ COL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS
Elvis Merzlikins
3games (1 left)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darcy Kuemper or Elvis Merzlikins?
- In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Elvis Merzlikins's .883. Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Merzlikins −7.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Darcy Kuemper or Elvis Merzlikins?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Darcy Kuemper 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 Kuemper and Merzlikins done against each other?
- In 12 games against each other in our data, Kuemper's team went 9–3.
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 →