OCTOBER 31 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
ELVIS MERZLIKINS #90 - GOALTENDER - COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
2.72 GAA •
256 SV •
90.50% SV%
2.72 GAA
256 SV
90.50% SV%
Elvis Merzlikins, Blue Jackets shut out struggling Islanders Elvis Merzlikins made 28 saves for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 2-0 win against the visiting New York Islanders on Wednesday night.Merzlik...
Severson scores and Merzlikins stops 28 shots as the Blue Jackets beat the Islanders 2-0
Damon Severson broke a scoreless tie in the third period, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots in recording his first shutout of the season and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the New...OCTOBER 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Set to start Wednesday Merzlikins is expected to start in Wednesday's home game against the Islanders, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
Impact Merzlikins is getting the opportunity to start in consecutive games after stopping 31 of 32 shots en route to a 6-1 victory over Edmonton on Monday. He's in a good position to build off that recent success against the Islanders, who are tied for 30th offensively with just 2.33 goals per game. Merzlikins has a record of 1-2-0 with a 2.76 GAA and a .900 save percentage across three outings overall in 2024-25.
OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE
Collects first win of season Merzlikins made 31 saves in Monday's 6-1win over the Oilers.
Impact The 30-year-old goalie nearly came away with a shutout as well as his first win of the season, but Mattias Ekholm snuck home a power-play tally inside the final minute of the third period. It was Merzlikins' first action since Oct. 15, as Daniil Tarasov has taken over the top spot in the Columbus crease in the early going, but the duo could slip back into a timeshare if Elvis keeps performing well.
OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE
EDM@CBJ: Ekholm scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins | Edmonton Oilers EDM@CBJ: Ekholm scores goal against Elvis Merzlikins
OCTOBER 29 • NHL.COM
Pyyhtia Scores First NHL goal as Blue Jackets beat Oilers 6-1
Mikael Pyyhtia scored his first NHL goal, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 for their second straight home winOCTOBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tending twine Monday Merzlikins patrol the home crease Monday against Edmonton, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
Impact Merzlikins' return to the crease will end Daniil Tarasov's streak of four consecutive starts. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has surrendered seven goals on 48 shots in two appearances this campaign. Edmonton is coming off a 3-2 overtime win over Detroit on Sunday.
OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Moves past injury Merzlikins is healthy after tending to a lower-body issue and will backup Daniil Tarasov against Toronto on Tuesday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Impact Merzlikins hasn't played since Oct. 15 against Florida, in which he allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 4-3 loss. The Latvian netminder is 0-2-0 with an .854 save percentage and a 3.68 GAA through two appearances. The 30-year-old's next chance to draw a start will come Saturday against Nashville.
OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Kaprizov logs a goal and an assist and Gustavsson makes 23 saves as the Wild beats Blue Jackets 3-1
Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist, Filip Gustavsson made 23 stops and the Minnesota Wild beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1OCTOBER 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Won't play Saturday Merzlikins (upper body) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's home game versus Minnesota, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Impact Merzlikins has a record of 0-2-0 with a 3.68 GAA and an .854 save percentage in two appearances in 2024-25. Daniil Tarasov is expected to start Saturday while Jet Greaves will serve as the understudy.
OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Injury details updated Merzlikins is now being considered out short-term with an upper-body injury, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.
Impact Merzlikins doesn't sound like he'll be available Thursday to face the Sabres, but it's unclear how long he'll be out beyond that. The 30-year-old goalie has gone 0-2-0 with seven goals allowed on 48 shots over his first two games of the season. Daniil Tarasov figures to see an uptick in playing time since the Blue Jackets don't have a back-to-back over the next week.
OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable for Thursday Merzlikins is questionable for Thursday's home game against Buffalo because of what's been described as physical fatigue, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports Wednesday.
Impact Merzlikins has stopped 41 of 48 shots (.854 save percentage) across two starts this season, including a 4-3 loss to Florida on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets have already recalled goaltender Jet Greaves, so if Merzlikins isn't available Thursday, then Greaves will dress, likely as the understudy of Daniil Tarasov.
OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE
Downed by Panthers Merzlikins made 18 saves in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Florida.
Impact It wasn't a great night for Merzlikins, as he lost his shape and positioning on the first two Panthers goals, but he played well enough down the stretch that the Blue Jackets had a chance to tie it up when he was pulled for an extra attacker late. The 30-year-old is seeing fewer pucks thanks to the defensive system installed by new coach Dean Evason, but as yet Merzlikins isn't taking advantage, going 0-2-0 in his first two starts of the season with an .854 save percentage.
OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers beat the Blue Jackets 4-3 on an opening night dedicated to Johnny Gaudreau
Sam Reinhart had a goal and two assists, Anton Lundell had a goal and an assist as the Florida Panthers beat Columbus 4-3, spoiling a Blue Jackets’ home opener steeped in tributes...OCTOBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guarding goal Tuesday Merzlikins will be between the pipes for Tuesday's home matchup against the Panthers, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Impact Merzlikins will make his second appearance of the season -- he stopped 23 of 26 shots in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Wild. The 30-year-old will face a Panthers squad that has scored just over three goals per game (3.25) through four regular-season contests. Merzlikins will look to find the form he had in his first NHL campaign -- his .923 save percentage and 2.35 GAA from that season are both career-bests.
OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Defeated in season opener Merzlikins gave up three goals on 26 shots in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
In goal Thursday Merzlikins will get the starting nod on the road against the Wild on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Leads slips away Thursday Merzlikins turned aside 21 of 23 shots in Thursday's 3-1 preseason loss to the Penguins.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Receiving starting nod Merzlikins will start at home versus the Penguins in Thursday's preseason game, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
In goal Saturday Merzlikins will protect the home goal in a preseason game versus the Sabres on Saturday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Set to start Wednesday Merzlikins will guard the home goal in Wednesday's preseason game versus the Blues, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Returning Tuesday Merzlikins (lower body) will serve as the backup to Jet Greaves on Tuesday at home against Carolina, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
Impact 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. He will likely serve as Columbus' No. 1 goalie next season.
APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE
Out Sunday Merzlikins (lower body) will not be available Sunday against Carolina.
Impact 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 on 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.
APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Saturday Merzlikins (lower body) will not play Saturday versus the Flyers, Coby Maeir of 1st Ohio Battery reports.
Impact 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 to back up Jet Greaves, 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.
APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE
Not available Thursday Merzlikins (lower body) will miss his second straight game Thursday.
Impact Merzlikins will not dress against the Islanders as Daniil Tarasov will get the call in net, with Jet Greaves 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 and he could return as early as Saturday against the Flyers.
APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE
