Who to start · 2025-26
Darcy Kuemper vs Leevi Meriläinen
In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Leevi Meriläinen's .860.
Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Meriläinen −19.3.
This week Kuemper has 2 games left (about 1.4 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Meriläinen has 2 left (about 0.6 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Kuemper for 1.0 to Meriläinen's 0.2 over the games left.
Darcy Kuemper has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Kuemper's biggest edges: Overtime losses 15, Saves 1,100, Shutouts 3.
Meriläinen's biggest edges: Goals against 64.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Darcy Kuemper rates ahead, -2.1 to -3.0 in summed category z-scores.
- • Kuemper has played 5 of the Kings' 7 games since Sep 30 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 5 GP, 1 W, .869 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%.
Los Angeles Kings · Vancouver Canucks · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darcy Kuemper
-2.1
category z-score total
Leevi Meriläinen
-3.0
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Darcy Kuemper has the edge (Kuemper wins 3, Meriläinen wins 0 of 3 categories).
| Category | Kuemper | Meriläinen |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.34 | 0.33 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.07 | 3.22 |
| Save % | 0.886 | 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: Kuemper vs Meriläinen
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 | Kuemper | Meriläinen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-24 | LAK 2–1 OTT | 27/28 SV | 20/22 SV |
| 2025-11-15 | LAK 1–0 OTT | 0/0 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
Darcy Kuemper
3games (2 left)
1.0proj. ESPN default pts
About 1.4 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ WSHOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
- Opp allows 4th-most FP to GLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
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 GLikely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
- Opp allows 3rd-most FP to GLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darcy Kuemper or Leevi Meriläinen?
- In 2025-26, Darcy Kuemper posted a .891 save percentage to Leevi Meriläinen's .860. Against our expected-goals model, Kuemper saved −8.7 goals and Meriläinen −19.3. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Darcy Kuemper or Leevi Meriläinen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Darcy Kuemper 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 Kuemper and Meriläinen done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Kuemper's team went 2–0.
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 →