Who to start · 2025-26
Jacob Markstrom vs Karel Vejmelka
In 2025-26, Jacob Markstrom posted a .883 save percentage to Karel Vejmelka's .897.
Against our expected-goals model, Markstrom saved −13.7 goals and Vejmelka +7.0.
This week Markstrom has 1 game left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup; Vejmelka has 2 left (about 1.6 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. We project Vejmelka for 3.3 ESPN points to Markstrom's 1.1.
Karel Vejmelka has the better number in 8 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Markstrom's biggest edges: Goals against 130, Rebounds prevented /100 +1.21, High-danger save % .793.
Vejmelka's biggest edges: Goals saved above expected +7.0, Saves 1,458, Overtime losses 3.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, 1.000 SV%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 W, 1.000 SV%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jacob Markstrom
1.14
fantasy points per game
Karel Vejmelka
2.13
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Karel Vejmelka has the edge.
| Points per game from | Markstrom | Vejmelka |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.21 | 2.48 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.54 | -4.95 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.38 | 4.46 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.07 | 0.09 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.02 | 0.05 |
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: Markstrom vs Vejmelka
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Markstrom | Vejmelka |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | NJD 4–1 UTA | 30/31 SV | 26/30 SV |
| 2025-12-19 | NJD 2–1 UTA | 32/33 SV | 20/22 SV |
| 2024-10-14 | NJD 3–0 UTA | 0/0 SV | 29/32 SV |
| 2024-04-14 | CGY 6–5 ARI | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-01-11 | CGY 6–2 ARI | 32/34 SV | 8/12 SV |
| 2023-03-14 | CGY 3–4 ARI | 21/25 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2023-02-22 | CGY 6–3 ARI | 0/0 SV | 45/51 SV |
| 2022-12-05 | CGY 3–2 ARI | 0/0 SV | 24/27 SV |
| 2022-04-16 | CGY 9–1 ARI | 25/26 SV | 8/10 SV |
| 2022-03-25 | CGY 4–2 ARI | 16/18 SV | 29/33 SV |
| 2022-02-02 | CGY 4–2 ARI | 26/28 SV | 46/50 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.
Jacob Markstrom
3games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ CAROpp allows 5th-most FP to GLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ SJSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA76% to start1.1 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
Karel Vejmelka
3games (2 left)
3.3proj. ESPN pts
About 1.6 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to GLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ91% to start1.6 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to GSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B64% to start1.7 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to GSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jacob Markstrom or Karel Vejmelka?
- In 2025-26, Jacob Markstrom posted a .883 save percentage to Karel Vejmelka's .897. Against our expected-goals model, Markstrom saved −13.7 goals and Vejmelka +7.0. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Jacob Markstrom or Karel Vejmelka?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Karel Vejmelka 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 Markstrom and Vejmelka done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Markstrom's team went 10–1.
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 →