Who to start · 2025-26
Leevi Meriläinen vs Pyotr Kochetkov
In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Pyotr Kochetkov's .899.
Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Kochetkov −0.7.
This week Meriläinen has 2 games left (about 0.6 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Kochetkov has 2 left (about 0.8 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Kochetkov for 1.9 to Meriläinen's 0.2 over the games left.
Leevi Meriläinen has the better number in 1 of the 1 stats both are ranked on.
Meriläinen's biggest edges: Games started 19.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Pyotr Kochetkov rates ahead, +4.8 to -3.4 in summed category z-scores.
- • Meriläinen has played 7 of the Canucks' 10 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 7 GP, 1 W, .916 SV%.
- • Kochetkov has played 6 of the Hurricanes' 9 games since Oct 3 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 6 GP, 6 W, .899 SV%.
Vancouver Canucks · Carolina Hurricanes · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Leevi Meriläinen
-3.4
category z-score total
Pyotr Kochetkov
+4.8
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Pyotr Kochetkov has the edge (Meriläinen wins 0, Kochetkov wins 3 of 3 categories).
| Category | Meriläinen | Kochetkov |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.32 | 0.76 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.33 | 2.23 |
| Save % | 0.878 | 0.899 |
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 Kochetkov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2026-27 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Meriläinen | Kochetkov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 | VAN 3–6 CAR | 36/41 SV | 14/17 SV |
| 2026-10-08 | VAN 2–7 CAR | 14/15 SV | 18/20 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 GLikely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
- Opp allows 3rd-most FP to GLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Pyotr Kochetkov
3games (2 left)
1.9proj. ESPN default pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ VANOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Leevi Meriläinen (.860)
- Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Leevi Meriläinen or Pyotr Kochetkov?
- In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Pyotr Kochetkov's .899. Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Kochetkov −0.7. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Leevi Meriläinen or Pyotr Kochetkov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Leevi Meriläinen leads in 1 of 1 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Meriläinen and Kochetkov done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Meriläinen's team went 0–2.
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 →