Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.
Merzlikins has only played two games in the last five weeks, but he will get a chance to showcase his abilities in Rick Bowness' second game as the Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins started the season in a timeshare with Jet Greaves, but quickly lost the trust of the coaching staff, allowing three or more goals in his last 12 games (4-7-1) while posting a dreadful 4.24 GAA and .861 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favorites against a plummeting Vancouver Canucks team that is on an eight-game losing streak (0-6-2).
Merzlikins has not played since December 20th, but will return to the crease on Saturday in a challenging contest against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie started the season in a rotation with Jet Greaves, but poor play quickly made the coaching staff lose trust in him. Merzlikins has an abysmal 4.54 GAA and .839 SV% in his last eight games (2-5-1).
Jet Greaves has proven to be the more reliable Blue Jackets goalie this season, but Merzlikins will get another look on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 31-year-old Merzlikins allowed a season-high seven goals on 40 shots (.825 SV%) in his most recent game, a 7-6 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. He has an ugly 3.87 GAA and .885 SV% in 12 games (6-5-1). Despite his poor statistics, Merzlikins has quality starts in 50 percent of his games, his best rate in the last five seasons. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +102 home underdogs against a Senators team that has lost five of its last six games (1-5-0).
The Blue Jackets have leaned heavily on Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but will turn to Merzlikins on Thursday in a rare consecutive start for the Latvian goalie after a solid 30-save performance (.909 SV%) in Monday's 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has a subpar 3.50 GAA and .895 SV% in 10 games (5-5-0) this season. He has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -114 home favorites against a Detroit Red Wings team coming off a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins.
Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but the Latvian netminder will return to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost four straight contests (0-4-0), allowing three or more goals in each. The Blue Jackets rank mid-pack in the league defensively (3.28 GA/GP), but have struggled with Merzlikins, who has an ugly 3.55 GAA and .894 SV% in nine games this season (4-5-0). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +124 road underdogs against a Devils team that defeated them 3-2 earlier this season.
Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing 12 goals on 93 combined shots (.871 SV%). He has a 3.37 GAA and .900 SV% in eight games (4-4-0) and has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's action as +142 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored 18 goals in its last three games (2-1-0).
Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets will turn to Merzlikins on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Despite an unimpressive 3.14 GAA, Merzlikins is putting together his best season in years, posting a .909 SV% through seven games (4-3-0). The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has recorded a sub- .900 SV% in three straight seasons. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as slight +103 road underdogs against a Kraken team that is 4-1-2 on home ice this season.
The Blue Jackets are on the second half of a back-to-back after beating Buffalo 4-3 on Tuesday and will continue their goal rotation as they turn back to Elvis Merlikins vs. Toronto on Wednesday. Despite splitting starts, Merzlikins has been sensational in 2025-26, with his 3-1-0 record, .915 SV% and 2.96 GAA. He will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, who will be looking for a third straight win after their 4-3 victory over Calgary the night before.
The Blue Jackets have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, showcasing a 2-3-0 record, and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins has been adequate when called upon, posting a 3.54 GAA and .920 SV%. He has been splitting time in the Blue Jackets' crease with Jet Greaves and will likely continue to do so until one of them pulls away with momentum. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid.
The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies through the first three games of the regular season and will continue that trend in game four on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, awarding Merzlikins his second start of 2025-26. The 31-year-old Merzlikins played well in his only contest this season, despite allowing four goals, saving a whopping 48 of 52 shots (.923 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Avalanche team that has outscored its opponents 13-8 through four games this season (3-0-1).