Elvis Merzlikins - Page 8 - NHL News & Rumors | FOX Sports

Feeling better Merzlikins is feeling better after missing Monday's 4-0 loss to Detroit due to an illness, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact With Jet Greaves, who served as Spencer Martin's backup against the Red Wings, reassigned to the minors Tuesday, it appears Merzlikins is on track to be available for Friday's clash with Calgary. Merzlikins has been sharp early on this season, having maintained an impressive 1.84 GAA and .950 save percentage through his first two appearances of the year.

OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to dress Merzlikins (illness) is not expected to be in the lineup Monday against Detroit, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins left Saturday's 5-3 win over the Rangers after two periods of work because of a stomach bug. He is projected to get the night off Monday despite feeling better. Jet Greaves, who is up with the Blue Jackets on an emergency basis, will suit up as the backup behind starter Spencer Martin on Monday.

OCTOBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with illness Merzlikins (illness) left Saturday's game versus the Rangers after the second period and is questionable to return.

Impact Merzlikins was good despite apparently not being 100 percent, stopping 24 of 25 shots. Barring a Rangers comeback push, Merzlikins exited the game in line for the win, as Columbus led 4-1 through two periods. If he can't get back in the game, Merzlikins may be questionable for Monday's contest against the Red Wings. Spencer Martin took over in goal Saturday.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Saturday's start Merzlikins will be between the home pipes versus the Rangers on Saturday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Impact Merzlikins looked sharp Thursday, stopping 33 of 35 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Flyers. He really struggled last season, going 7-18-2 with a 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage. He managed to play fairly well in his lone start last season against the Rangers, giving up three goals on 33 shots in a 3-1 loss.

OCTOBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes tough loss in opener Merzlikins turned aside 33 of 35 shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Flyers.

Impact The Blue Jackets invested heavily this offseason in fortifying the defense in front of Merzlikins, and while the 29-year-old netminder seemed more comfortable and confident in this one that he had during a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, he had little chance on the Flyers' two first-period tallies -- one of which came on a two-on-nothing break after Zach Werenski (quadriceps) coughed up the puck in the Philadelphia zone. Merzlikins slammed the door shut after that, as Philly's final two goals were scored into an empty net, but his offense couldn't find an equalizer over the final two frames. With a better and healthier roster in front of him, Elvis should be able to improve upon last season's 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage, but he'll need to recapture his early-career form if he wants to re-establish himself as the team's goalie of both the present and future.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to start Thursday Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at practice Thursday, indicating that he will get the start at home versus the Flyers, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Impact Merzlikins is the undisputed No. 1 goaltender with the Blue Jackets at this time, with Spencer Martin as his backup. Merzlikins struggled last season, going 7-18-2 with a 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage. He gets a favorable matchup Thursday against the Flyers, as Philadelphia are one of the weaker teams in the NHL at this time.

OCTOBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elvis Merzlikins helps Columbus Blue Jackets rededicate a local rink ❤️ | CBJ Today (10/2/23)

OCTOBER 2, 2023 • YOUTUBE

'I'm not done here': Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins, outspoken as ever, ready for bounce-back season The Blue Jackets' goalie promised to get back to being "cocky and arrogant" in his quest to prove critics wrong.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Skates with second group Merzlikins (lower body) skated with the second of three groups during Thursday's practice to open training camp, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Impact Merzlikins had a lower-body injury for much of the last month of 2022-23, but it was expected he'd be healthy by the end of April. His presence on the ice at training camp is enough to say he's healthy and ready to enter the season as the Blue Jackets' clear top netminder, especially with Daniil Tarasov (knee) hurting. Merzlikins is a low-end fantasy option to begin the year -- managers may want to see how much of an impact the Blue Jackets' defensive additions will benefit their goalies.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Skipping World Championships Merzlikins (lower body) is expected to be fully healthy by late April, but he has elected not to play for Latvia at the IIHF World Championships in May, Aaron Portzline of The Athl...

Impact The netminder is coming off the worst season of his NHL career, and his focus this offseason is going to be on getting stronger, staying healthier and rebounding in 2023-24. "I have May, June, July, August and a little bit of September, plenty of time to get stronger and ready for the new season," Merzlikins said Sunday. "I'm going to stay all summer [in Columbus] and get myself ready." Barring a significant addition to the roster over the summer, Daniil Tarasov -- who had trouble staying healthy himself this year -- figures to be Merzlikins' main competition for the starting role with the Blue Jackets next season.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Merzlikins (lower body) won't be in the lineup Sunday against Ottawa, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins, who is listed as day-to-day, will miss his fourth consecutive contest. Michael Hutchinson will be the backup behind Jon Gillies on Sunday.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Thursday Merzlikins (leg) will miss Thursday's contest versus Boston, according to Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch.

Impact Merzlikins has a 7-18-2 record, 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage in 30 appearances this season. He allowed six goals on 24 shots in an 8-2 loss to Montreal on Saturday. Michael Hutchinson is expected to start Thursday, and Jon Gillies is set to backup.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jackets take on the Rangers in Metropolitan Division play

The New York Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a matchup of Metropolitan Division squads

MARCH 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Considered day-to-day Merzlikins (leg) is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's matchup with the Rangers.

Impact Merzlikins had just returned from a seven-game absence while attending to a family matter back home in Latvia. With Merzlikins in doubt, it will likely fall to either Michael Hutchinson or Jon Gillies to backstop the team for the time being. At this point, Merzlikins may be hard-pressed to even reach the 10-win mark this season, well behind the 27 wins he compiled last season.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Harvey-Pinard scores 3, Canadiens beat Blue Jackets 8-2

Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored three goals for his first career hat trick and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 8-2

MARCH 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Exits Saturday's contest Merzlikins left Saturday's game versus the Canadiens favoring his right leg, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Impact Merzlikins looked uncomfortable on the Canadiens' sixth goal, and he came out of the game at the next stoppage, replaced by Michael Hutchinson. Merzlikins stopped 18 of 24 shots during his time in the game, which was his first action since a relief appearance March 7. More information on his status should surface before Tuesday's game versus the Rangers.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins team Wednesday Merzlikins (personal) was back with the club Wednesday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Impact Merzlikins was away from the team for personal reasons but has returned from his native Latvia. With the netminder back at practice, he should be in line to start either Friday or Saturday against the Islanders or Canadiens, respectively. The Jackets sent Daniil Tarasov back to the minors, which means Merzlikins figures to split the back-to-back with Michael Hutchinson.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in Pittsburgh Merzlikins will patrol the road crease against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins struggled in his last start Saturday against the Senators, surrendering four goals on only 23 shots before being replaced by Michael Hutchinson in the second period of the eventual 5-2 loss. He'll try to get back in the win column in a road matchup with a Penguins team that's averaging 3.52 goals per game at home this campaign, eighth in the NHL.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves start after first period Merzlikins (illness) exited Tuesday's game versus the Penguins after the first period, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Impact Merzlikins made seven saves in the first period without allowing a goal, and the Blue Jackets established a 3-0 lead. Michael Hutchinson took over in net for Merzlikins, who can be considered day-to-day.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamonic, Stutzle score 2 each, Senators beat Blue Jackets

Travis Hamonic and Tim Stutzle each scored twice and the Ottawa Senators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 for their fifth straight win

MARCH 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falls to Kraken Merzlikins turned aside 31 of 34 shots in Friday's 4-2 loss to Seattle.

Impact The Kraken's final goal was scored into an empty net. Merzlikins has been nothing if not consistent over the last month-plus, and he's given up exactly three goals in a remarkable seven straight starts. Unfortunately, he plays for a team averaging just 2.58 goals per game, 30th in the league. With the roster cleared of competition at the trade deadline, Merzlikins should be the Blue Jackets' unquestioned No. 1 netminder down the stretch, although that role may not translate into many wins.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wennberg, McCann lead Kraken to 4-2 win over Blue Jackets

Alex Wennberg and Jared McCann each had a goal and an assist, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 for their third straight road win and a season series sweep

MARCH 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting Friday Merzlikins will defend the home crease versus Seattle on Friday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Merzlikins has allowed three goals in each of his last six games, a huge improvement over the rest of the season, as he is 7-15-2 with a 4.10 GAA and .879 save percentage. Merzlikins will face the Kraken, who are sixth in NHL scoring, averaging 3.49 goals per game.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hangs on for win in Buffalo Merzlikins turned aside 38 shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Sabres.

Impact It was a busy night for the 28-year-old netminder, who picked up a power-play assist on a Kent Johnson tally to open the scoring in the first period, then had to weather a furious comeback attempt by the Sabres in the third. Merzlikins' numbers on the season remain poor, but he's found some consistency lately, giving up exactly three goals in six straight starts and going 2-2-2 over that stretch with a .911 save percentage. With Joonas Korpisalo shipped to the Kings on Wednesday, Merzlikins will now share the crease with 37-year-old Jonathan Quick down the stretch, but the younger goalie will likely be given every chance to lock down the top job and re-establish himself as a reliable option for the Blue Jackets.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres

Eric Robinson enjoyed the first three-goal game of his career, and the Columbus Blue Jackets weathered a late comeback bid to beat Buffalo 5-3 and stall the Sabres’ playoff push

MARCH 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS