Who to start · 2025-26
Elvis Merzlikins vs Jordan Binnington
In 2025-26, Elvis Merzlikins posted a .883 save percentage to Jordan Binnington's .873.
Against our expected-goals model, Merzlikins saved −7.7 goals and Binnington −25.5.
This week Merzlikins has 1 game left (about 0.0 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; Binnington has 1 left (about 1.0 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Binnington for 0.9 ESPN points to Merzlikins's 0.0.
They split the 11 stats both are ranked on 5–5.
Merzlikins's biggest edges: High-danger save % .831, Goals against 95, Goals saved above expected −7.7.
Binnington's biggest edges: Overtime losses 7, Rebounds prevented /100 −1.09, Saves 882.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Elvis Merzlikins
0.51
fantasy points per game
Jordan Binnington
-0.43
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Elvis Merzlikins has the edge.
| Points per game from | Merzlikins | Binnington |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 1.87 | 1.27 |
| Goals against (-2) | -6.33 | -6.24 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.78 | 4.30 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.10 | 0.07 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.10 | 0.17 |
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 Binnington
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 | Merzlikins | Binnington |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-31 | CBJ 5–3 STL | 0/0 SV | 18/22 SV |
| 2025-11-01 | CBJ 3–2 STL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-11 | CBJ 2–1 STL | 0/0 SV | 28/30 SV |
| 2025-01-04 | CBJ 6–4 STL | 29/33 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-01-30 | CBJ 1–0 STL | 21/21 SV | 21/22 SV |
| 2022-10-15 | CBJ 2–5 STL | 20/25 SV | 23/25 SV |
| 2022-03-19 | CBJ 5–4 STL | 19/21 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2021-11-27 | CBJ 3–6 STL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2019-11-15 | CBJ 3–2 STL | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2019-11-01 | CBJ 3–4 STL | 23/27 SV | 27/30 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)
0.0proj. ESPN pts
About 0.0 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 11th-most FP to GLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA4% to start0.0 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Jordan Binnington
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
About 1.0 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B97% to start0.9 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to GSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Elvis Merzlikins or Jordan Binnington?
- In 2025-26, Elvis Merzlikins posted a .883 save percentage to Jordan Binnington's .873. Against our expected-goals model, Merzlikins saved −7.7 goals and Binnington −25.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Elvis Merzlikins or Jordan Binnington?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 5–5 across 11 stats where both qualify.
- How have Merzlikins and Binnington done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Merzlikins's team went 7–3.
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 →