Who to start · 2025-26
Leevi Meriläinen vs Logan Thompson
In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Logan Thompson's .912.
Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Thompson +32.2.
This week Meriläinen has 2 games left (about 0.6 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Thompson has 1 left (about 0.9 expected starts). In ESPN default points scoring we project Thompson for 2.4 to Meriläinen's 0.2 over the games left.
Logan Thompson has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Meriläinen's biggest edges: Goals against 64.
Thompson's biggest edges: Goals saved above expected +32.2, Save % .912, Saves 1,447.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Logan Thompson rates ahead, +2.7 to -3.0 in summed category z-scores.
- • 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%.
- • Thompson has played 7 of the Capitals' 9 games since Oct 2 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 7 GP, 4 W, .901 SV%.
Vancouver Canucks · Washington Capitals · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Leevi Meriläinen
-3.0
category z-score total
Logan Thompson
+2.7
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Logan Thompson has the edge (Meriläinen wins 0, Thompson wins 3 of 3 categories).
| Category | Meriläinen | Thompson |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.33 | 0.55 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.22 | 2.58 |
| Save % | 0.879 | 0.908 |
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: Meriläinen vs Thompson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Meriläinen | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | OTT 4–3 WSH | 26/29 SV | 28/32 SV |
| 2025-10-25 | OTT 7–1 WSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-30 | OTT 5–4 WSH | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2025-01-16 | OTT 0–1 WSH | 25/26 SV | 24/24 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
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 Gvs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
- Opp allows 3rd-most FP to GLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Logan Thompson
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN default pts
About 0.9 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to GLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Opp allows 15th-most FP to GLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Leevi Meriläinen or Logan Thompson?
- In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Logan Thompson's .912. Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Thompson +32.2. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Leevi Meriläinen or Logan Thompson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Logan Thompson 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 Meriläinen and Thompson done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Meriläinen's team went 3–1.
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 →