Who to start · 2025-26
Leevi Meriläinen vs Stuart Skinner
In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Stuart Skinner's .888.
Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Skinner +5.4.
This week Meriläinen has 2 games left (about 0.6 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; Skinner has 2 left (about 1.5 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Skinner for 2.9 to Meriläinen's 0.2 over the games left.
Stuart Skinner has the better number in 10 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Meriläinen's biggest edges: Goals against 64.
Skinner's biggest edges: Overtime losses 9, Saves 1,125, Goals saved above expected +5.4.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Stuart Skinner rates ahead, +0.3 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%.
- • Skinner has played 6 of the Jets' 9 games since Oct 2 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 6 GP, 3 W, .910 SV%.
Vancouver Canucks · Winnipeg Jets · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Leevi Meriläinen
-3.4
category z-score total
Stuart Skinner
+0.3
category z-score total
Under Standard (3 categories), Stuart Skinner has the edge (Meriläinen wins 0, Skinner wins 3 of 3 categories).
| Category | Meriläinen | Skinner |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.32 | 0.47 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.33 | 2.84 |
| Save % | 0.878 | 0.894 |
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 Skinner
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 | Skinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-18 | OTT 4–0 PIT | 0/0 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-12-22 | OTT 1–3 EDM | 12/14 SV | 20/21 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)
Stuart Skinner
3games (2 left)
2.9proj. ESPN default pts
About 1.5 expected starts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ STLOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Opp allows 8th-most FP to GLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Opp allows 12th-most FP to GLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Leevi Meriläinen or Stuart Skinner?
- In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen posted a .860 save percentage to Stuart Skinner's .888. Against our expected-goals model, Meriläinen saved −19.3 goals and Skinner +5.4. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Leevi Meriläinen or Stuart Skinner?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Stuart Skinner 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 Skinner done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Meriläinen's team went 1–1.
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 →