Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Defeated in season opener
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Merzlikins gave up three goals on 26 shots in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.
Merzlikins was defeated once in each period, and there's nothing he could've done to avoid any of the goals he conceded. This wasn't the start of the season the 30-year-old would've wanted, though wins will certainly be hard to come by while guarding the net of a Blue Jackets team likely to struggle in 2024-25. Merzlikins will aim to secure his first win of the season Saturday on the road against the Avalanche.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: In goal Thursday
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Merzlikins will get the starting nod on the road against the Wild on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Merzlikins has reached the 20-win mark in just one of his five NHL seasons and likely will struggle to get to that threshold this year as well. If the 30-year-old backstop continues to underwhelm, he could see Daniil Tarasov stealing starts away from him down the stretch.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Lead slips away Thursday
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Merzlikins turned aside 21 of 23 shots in Thursday's 3-1 preseason loss to the Penguins.
The Blue Jackets grabbed an early lead, but Merzlikins couldn't make it stick, getting beaten by Valtteri Puustinen in the second period and Johnny Gruden in the third before Pittsburgh tacked on an empty-netter. The 30-year-old is expected to split goaltending duties with Daniil Tarasov this season, and while wins will likely be hard to come by, tighter defensive play by Columbus under new head coach Dean Evason could result in Merzllikins improving upon the 3.45 GAA and .897 save percentage he managed in 2023-24.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Receiving starting nod
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Merzlikins will start at home versus the Penguins in Thursday's preseason game, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Merzlikins is set for his third preseason start after allowing three goals on 50 shots over his first two outings. He won both of those games. Merzlikins' strong preseason is giving him a good chance to begin 2024-25 as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 goalie.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: In goal Saturday
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Merzlikins will protect the home goal in a preseason game versus the Sabres on Saturday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Merzlikins stopped all 19 shots he faced in his preseason debut Wednesday versus the Sabres. The 30-year-old will face a youthful version of the Sabres' lineup, as the team's veterans are all in Europe in preparation for the NHL Global Series, so Merzlikins should put in another strong performance Saturday.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Set to start Wednesday
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Merzlikins will guard the home goal in Wednesday's preseason game versus the Blues, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Merzlikins will be making his preseason debut in this contest. The 30-year-old goalie had another rough campaign in 2023-24, posting a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage while going 13-17-8 over 41 appearances. Due to his $5.4 million cap hit, Merzlikins is projected to be the Blue Jackets' top goalie to begin this season.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Returning Tuesday
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Merzlikins (lower body) will serve as the backup to Jet Greaves on Tuesday at home against Carolina, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
Merzlikins had a disappointing season but didn't get much help from his offense all year. The 30-year-old recorded an .897 save percentage and a 13-17-8 record in 41 appearances. His status for the 2024-25 campaign is somewhat unclear. Although he is signed through 2026-27, the netminder requested a trade in January after seemingly losing the starting gig. He didn't end up getting dealt, and all parties may have put that behind them, but it'll be something worth monitoring during the summer. There is a good chance he'll open the 2024-25 campaign as Columbus' No. 1 goaltender should he remain with the franchise.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Out Sunday
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Merzlikins (lower body) will not be available Sunday against Carolina.
Merzlikins has now been out for four consecutive games and the team hasn't provided much of an update beyond his day-to-day designation April 1. The 29-year-old is 1-4-1 with an .860 save percentage over his last six appearances. Malcolm Subban will start Sunday while Jet Greaves dresses as the backup.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Not playing Saturday
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Merzlikins (lower body) will not play Saturday versus the Flyers, Coby Maeir of 1st Ohio Battery reports.
Merzlikins will miss his third straight game. The Blue Jackets also lost Daniil Tarasov (upper body) in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Islanders and may need to recall Malcolm Subban from the minors for Saturday's contest if Tarasov is unable to go. Merzlikins is 13-17-8 with a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 41 appearances this season.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Not available Thursday
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Merzlikins (lower body) will miss his second straight game Thursday against the Islanders.
Daniil Tarasov will get the call in net against the Isles with Jet Greaves serving as his backup. Merzlikins is 13-17-8 with a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 41 contests this season. Consider him day-to-day at this time -- he could return as early as Saturday against the Flyers.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Dealing with lower-body issue
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Merzlikins is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won't play Monday versus the Avalanche, Coby Maeir of 1st Ohio Battery reports.
With Merzlikins unavailable, Daniil Tarasov will likely get the nod against Colorado with Jet Greaves serving as his backup. Merzlikins, who's gone 13-17-8 while posting a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 41 appearanes this season, will be reevaluated ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Islanders.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Earns shootout win
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Merzlikins stopped 30 of 33 shots in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory over the Penguins.
Merzlikins was sharp Saturday, turning aside 30 shots in regulation before earning the win in a five-round shootout. It's the first win since March 2 for the 29-year-old Merzlikins -- he'd dropped five outings while allowing six goals in each of his previous three starts. Merzlikins improves to 13-17-8 on the season with an .897 save percentage and a 3.45 GAA. Daniil Tarasov figures to get the start Monday versus Colorado, lining up Merzlikins for a home matchup with the Islanders on Thursday.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Expected to start Saturday
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Merzlikins will be between the home pipes versus Pittsburgh on Saturday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Merzlikins will attempt to snap a five-game winless streak (0-4-1), and he has given up six goals in each of his last three games. He's 12-17-8 with a 3.47 GAA and an .897 save percentage this season. Merzlikins' recent struggles have opened the door for Daniil Tarasov to take over the starting job in Columbus. The Penguins average 2.92 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Losing streak at five games
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Merzlikins stopped 29 of 35 shots in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Coyotes.
Merzlikins just can't find a groove, allowing six goals in each of the last three games. He's surrendered 23 tallies during his five-game losing streak. The 29-year-old is at 12-17-8 with a 3.47 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 40 outings overall. The Blue Jackets have mainly rotated goalies over the last two weeks, so Daniil Tarasov seems likely to start Thursday in Pittsburgh.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Starting against Coyotes
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Merzlikins will defend the road net Tuesday versus Arizona, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Merzlikins has allowed 17 goals on 119 shots during his four-game winless slump. In 39 games this season, he has provided a 12-16-8 record with a 3.40 GAA and an .899 save percentage. The Coyotes sit 24th in the league this campaign with 2.89 goals per contest.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Under siege in loss
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Merzlikins allowed six goals on 50 shots in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Avalanche.
The Blue Jackets struck first through Damon Severson, but Merzlikins was unable to keep the Avalanche at bay. This was the 29-year-old goalie's fourth loss in a row, and he's allowed 17 tallies in that span. He's at 12-16-8 with a 3.40 GAA and an .899 save percentage through 39 outings overall. The Blue Jackets visit the Golden Knights on Saturday, and Daniil Tarasov will likely start the second half of the back-to-back set.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: In goal versus Avalanche
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Merzlikins will get the starting nod on the road against Colorado on Friday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Merzlikins has not been sharp in two of his last three starts, giving up three goals on four shots in Montreal on Mar. 12 and allowing six goals on 27 shots to Winnipeg on Sunday. Overall, Merzlikins is 12-15-8 with a 3.33 GAA and a .900 save percentage. He has another tough matchup as the Avalanche lead the NHL with 258 goals in 69 games.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Falls to Winnipeg
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Merzlikins allowed six goals on 27 shots in a 6-1 loss to the Jets on Sunday.
It was a tough night for Merzlikins as he allowed six goals, including four in the second period, en route to a third consecutive loss. The 29-year-old netminder had been on a decent run coming into Sunday's contest, going 2-2-1 with a .920 save percentage in his previous five starts, though he's still found himself splitting starting duties with Daniil Tarasov. Overall, Merzlikins is 12-15-8 this season with a .900 save percentage and 3.33 GAA. The Blue Jackets are back in action Tuesday on the road in Detroit.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Guarding goal Sunday
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Merzlikins will patrol the home crease Sunday against Winnipeg, according to Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch.
Merzlikins is coming off a 35-save effort in Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss to Ottawa. He has compiled a 12-14-8 record this season with a 3.25 GAA and a .903 save percentage over 37 games played. The Jets rank 17th in the league with 3.09 goals per contest this campaign.
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Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins: Fades late in Thursday's loss
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Merzlikins turned aside 35 shots in regulation and overtime and one of three shootout attempts during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Senators.
Looking to bounce back from an early hook Tuesday in Montreal, Merzlikins was sharp to begin the game and took a shutout into the third period. The Sens were able to tie it up before the final horn though, and the 29-year-old couldn't come up with stops on Tim Stutzle or Claude Giroux in the shootout. Merzlikins has given up more than three goals in a start only once since the All-Star break, but his 3.35 GAA and .900 save percentage over that stretch are far from ideal, especially in comparison to Daniil Tarasov's numbers (2.49 GAA, .928 save percentage in eight outings) during that same period. While Columbus still hasn't given up on Merzlikins and his contract would be tough to move in a trade over the offseason, at the moment, Tarasov appears to be the team's clear No. 1 netminder.
