Who to start · 2025-26
Elvis Merzlikins vs Joonas Korpisalo
In 2025-26, Elvis Merzlikins posted a .883 save percentage to Joonas Korpisalo's .894.
Against our expected-goals model, Merzlikins saved −7.7 goals and Korpisalo −4.8.
This week Merzlikins has 1 game left (about 0.1 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; Korpisalo has 1 left (about 0.1 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Merzlikins for 0.1 ESPN points to Korpisalo's 0.1.
Joonas Korpisalo has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Merzlikins's biggest edges: Games started 29.
Korpisalo's biggest edges: Overtime losses 6, Save % .894, Rebounds prevented /100 −1.60.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Elvis Merzlikins
0.51
fantasy points per game
Joonas Korpisalo
1.20
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Joonas Korpisalo has the edge.
| Points per game from | Merzlikins | Korpisalo |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.87 | 1.81 |
| Goals against (-2) | -6.33 | -5.81 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.78 | 4.91 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.10 | 0.19 |
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: Merzlikins vs Korpisalo
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Merzlikins | Korpisalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-12 | CBJ 2–3 BOS | 0/0 SV | 33/35 SV |
| 2026-03-29 | CBJ 3–4 BOS | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2026-02-26 | CBJ 2–4 BOS | 19/22 SV | 36/38 SV |
| 2024-12-28 | CBJ 0–4 BOS | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-12-27 | CBJ 6–2 BOS | 24/26 SV | 27/33 SV |
| 2024-11-18 | CBJ 5–1 BOS | 28/29 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-03-14 | CBJ 2–3 OTT | 35/37 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-13 | CBJ 3–6 OTT | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-12-01 | CBJ 4–2 OTT | 41/43 SV | 19/23 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.
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)
Joonas Korpisalo
4games (1 left)
0.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.1 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOSOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBLOpp allows the most FP to GLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA10% to start0.1 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo?
- In 2025-26, Elvis Merzlikins posted a .883 save percentage to Joonas Korpisalo's .894. Against our expected-goals model, Merzlikins saved −7.7 goals and Korpisalo −4.8. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Joonas Korpisalo 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 Merzlikins and Korpisalo done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, Merzlikins's team went 3–6.
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 →