ELVIS MERZLIKINS NEWS

Gets early hook Thursday Merzlikins gave up three goals on five shots before being replaced by Jet Greaves late in the first period of Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Senators.

Impact Poor rebound control contributed to Ottawa's first tally of the night, but Merzlikins simply got beaten by good shots from Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle for the final two before being lifted by coach Dean Evason. Merzlikins wound up escaping the loss, but it was another ugly line in the box score for the veteran netminder, who's stumbled to a brutal 5.20 GAA and .837 save percentage over his last six outings.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Stützle scores 2 as Senators use 4-goal 1st period to beat Blue Jackets 6–3

Tim Stützle scored twice, and the Ottawa Senators used a four-goal first period to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6–3, snapping a three-game skid

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

In goal Thursday Merzlikins will get the starting nod at home versus the Senators on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins has given up five or more goals in four of his last five outings, while posting a 2-2-1 record and .850 save percentage. With the Latvian struggling, he has found himself relegated to the No. 2 role in Columbus behind Jet Greaves. Still, Merzlikins could play his way into a split share of the goaltending duties if he can start to put together some better performances.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Loses wild one in Florida Merzlikins made 33 saves in Saturday's 7-6 overtime loss to the Panthers.

Impact The Blue Jackets held a 4-1 lead midway through the second period and a 6-4 lead early in the third, but both times Merzlikins let it slip away before Sam Bennett put a puck past him with just four seconds left in the extra frame. The seven goals allowed were a season worst for Merzlikins, but the 31-year-old netminder has been brutal of late overall, giving up at least five goals in four of his last five starts while going 2-2-1 with a 4.87 GAA and .850 save percentage. Jet Greaves has yet to get a start in December after three straight OTLs to close out November, but the younger goalie should be back between the pipes Sunday against the Capitals and still seems like the preferred fantasy option in the Columbus crease.

DECEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Bennett scores in overtime as the Panthers top the Blue Jackets 7-6

Sam Bennett scored 4:56 into overtime, lifting the Florida Panthers to a wild 7-6 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets

DECEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Facing Panthers Merzlikins will defend the road net against Florida on Saturday, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

Impact Merzlikins is coming off a 28-save performance in Thursday's 6-5 shootout win over Detroit. He has a 6-5-0 record with a 3.61 GAA and an .891 save percentage through 11 appearances this campaign. Florida ranks 21st in the league this season with 2.92 goals per game.

DECEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win over Detroit Merzlikins stopped 28 of 33 shots in Thursday's 6-5 shootout win over the Red Wings.

Impact Merzlikins has won back-to-back starts for the second time this season, as he also went on a three-game winning streak between Oct. 21 and Oct. 29. This was the first time he made consecutive starts in 2025-26, and given his strong play of late, he might be in line to see more playing time in the future.

DECEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Fantilli scores twice, Marchenko has shootout winner to lift Blue Jackets past Red Wings, 6-5

Adam Fantilli tied it with 1:31 left in the regulation with his second goal of the game, Kirill Marchenko had the shootout winner and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Detroit Red...

DECEMBER 5 • Associated Press

Gets starting nod Thursday Merzlikins will be between the pipes at home versus Detroit on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins will make consecutive appearances in the crease for the first time this season, having allowed three goals on 33 shots in a win over New Jersey on Monday. In 10 outings this year, the 31-year-old Latvian is sporting a 5-5-0 record, 3.50 GAA and .895 save percentage. Fantasy managers can expect Merrzlikins and Jet Greaves to split the upcoming back-to-back versus Florida and Washington on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Back in win column Monday Merzlikins made 30 saves in Monday's 5-3 win over the Devils.

Impact The 31-year-old netminder went the entire month of November without collecting a win, going 0-4-0 in four starts with a rough 4.30 GAA and .863 save percentage, and Merzlikins appeared to be headed for another poor outing when New Jersey struck twice in the first 3:03 of the first period. He kept his focus however, and Merzlikins locked things down as Columbus rallied, allowing only a power-play tally to Timo Meier midway through the third the rest of the way. On the season, Merzlikins is 5-5-0 in 10 starts with a 3.50 GAA and .895 save percentage as the No. 2 option for the Jackets behind Jet Greaves.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Monahan and Coyle lead Blue Jackets past Devils 5-3 to stop 4-game skid

Sean Monahan scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets overcame an early two-goal deficit to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-3, snapping a four-game skid

DECEMBER 2 • Associated Press

CBJ@NJD: Meier scores PPG against Elvis Merzlikins | New Jersey Devils Timo Meier (NJD) scores power-play goal against Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) to make it 3 - 4

DECEMBER 2 • NHL.COM

CBJ@NJD: Bratt scores PPG against Elvis Merzlikins | New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt (NJD) scores power-play goal against Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) to make it 1 - 0

DECEMBER 2 • NHL.COM

CBJ@NJD: Palat scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins | New Jersey Devils Ondrej Palat (NJD) scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) to make it 2 - 0

DECEMBER 2 • NHL.COM

Tending twine Monday Merzlikins will serve as the starting netminder for Monday's road game against New Jersey, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins has seen limited playing time for the Blue Jackets recently, as Monday's start will be his third in the team's last 12 games. He hasn't been particularly effective in limited action, going 0-4-0 with a 4.30 GAA and .863 save percentage over his last four starts. The Devils are tied for 11th in the NHL with 3.12 goals per game this year.

DECEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Capsized by Caps Merzlikins turned aside 26 shots in Monday's 5-1 loss to Washington.

Impact It wasn't the sharpest performance from Merzlikins, who gave up three goals on 12 shots in the second period as the Capitals pulled away. The 31-year-old netminder has lost four straight starts in November, stumbling to a rough 4.30 GAA and .863 save percentage on the month, and he appears to be falling further behind Jet Greaves (5-1-3 in November with a 2.80 GAA and .903 save percentage) in the Columbus crease.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Tending twine Monday Merzlikins will defend the road crease against Washington on Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins has seen limited playing time recently, starting just once in the Blue Jackets' last eight games while Jet Greaves has served as the primary netminder. However, Merzlikins will have a chance to tend the twine Monday against a tough opponent, as the Capitals rank seventh in the league with 3.23 goals per game this season.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers third straight defeat Merzlikins stopped 25 of 30 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Jets.

Impact Merzlikins made his return to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 8, when he allowed four goals on 24 shots faced in a loss to the Canucks. The results weren't encouraging this time around, and this was Merzlikins' third straight defeat. Ultimately, he hasn't been a reliable backup between the pipes for Columbus. Even though he's gone 4-4-0 with a 3.37 GAA and a .900 save percentage in eight outings this season, his recent performances (0-3-0, 4.06 GAA, .871) show he's trending in the wrong direction.

NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Scheifele has 3 assists to lead Jets over Blue Jackets 5-2

Mark Scheifele had three assists, Josh Morrissey extended his scoring streak to six games, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 on Tuesday night

NOVEMBER 19 • Associated Press

CBJ@WPG: Morrissey scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins | Winnipeg Jets Josh Morrissey (WPG) scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) to make it 2 - 1

NOVEMBER 19 • NHL.COM

CBJ@WPG: Lowry scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins | Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry (WPG) scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) to make it 1 - 0

NOVEMBER 19 • NHL.COM

Set to start Tuesday Merzlikins is slated to start Tuesday's road game against Winnipeg, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Impact Merzlikins has served as the Blue Jackets' No. 2 netminder recently, and he'll operate as the backup in a fifth consecutive game Monday at home against the Canadiens since Jet Greaves will remain in the net. However, Merzlikins will have an opportunity to tend the twine in the second half of the back-to-back set. Over seven appearances to begin the regular season, Merzlikins has gone 4-3-0 with a 3.14 GAA and .908 save percentage.

NOVEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE