Leevi Merilainen News

Linus Ullmark has started Ottawa's first three games this season (1-2-0), but he will get the night off on Wednesday when Merilainen tends the twine for the first time this season. The 23-year-old Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1). Entering the 2025-26 season as the Senators' undisputed backup, the Finnish netminder should have no problem passing his career-high 11 starts from a season ago. The Senators enter Wednesday's action as -117 road favorites against a frustrated 0-3-0 Buffalo Sabres team that has been outscored 10-2.

Merilainen spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, but was thrust into NHL action due to recurring injuries to Ottawa's goaltenders. The 22-year-old Merilainen, a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, was excellent when called upon for Ottawa, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 outings (8-3-1). He had a 2.37 GAA and .913 SV% in 37 games (18-12-4) with the Belleville Senators (AHL).

Merilainen was impressive in a 12-game stretch with Ottawa earlier this season (8-3-1), posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV%, but has been in the AHL since early February. The 22-year-old Merilainen has a 2.38 GAA and .910 SV% in 25 games with Belleville (AHL) this season (12-7-3).

The Senators have been on fire lately, collecting points in six straight games (5-0-1), partly due to the excellent goaltending of Merilainen, who will return to the crease on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 22-year-old Merilainen had his first off-night of the season but still salvaged a 6-5 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 28 shots (.821 SV%). He has a 2.20 GAA and .917 SV% in nine games this season (6-2-1). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Rangers squad that defeated them 2-1 in their only other meeting this season.

The Senators have been on fire lately, collecting points in six straight games (5-0-1), partly due to the excellent goaltending of Merilainen, who will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 22-year-old Merilainen had his first off-night of the season but still salvaged a 6-5 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 28 shots (.821 SV%). He has a 2.20 GAA and .917 SV% in nine games this season (6-2-1). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Rangers squad that defeated them 2-1 in their only other meeting this season.

Merilainen has been phenomenal lately, taking the crease away from Anton Forsberg during Linus Ullmark's (back) absence. The 22-year-old Merilainen has a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in seven games this season (5-2-0). He has two shutouts in his previous three outings (3-0-0) and has saved 77 of 79 shots (.975 SV%). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Washington Capitals team outscoring their opposition 7-1 during a two-game winning streak.

Merilainen has been phenomenal lately, taking the crease away from Anton Forsberg during Linus Ullmark's (back) absence. The 22-year-old Merilainen has a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in seven games this season (5-2-0). He has two shutouts in his previous three outings (3-0-0) and has saved 77 of 79 shots (.975 SV%). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Washington Capitals team outscoring their opposition 7-1 during a two-game winning streak.

With Linus Ullmark still sidelined with a back injury, Merilainen has taken the crease in Ottawa, starting a third straight game on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old netminder has a 2.34 GAA and .913 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0), including saving 53 of 55 shots (.964 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +104 road underdogs against an Islanders squad that defeated them 4-2 on December 8th.

With Linus Ullmark still sidelined with a back injury, Merilainen has taken the crease in Ottawa, likely starting the third straight game on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old netminder has a 2.34 GAA and .913 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0), including saving 53 of 55 shots (.964 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +104 road underdogs against an Islanders squad that defeated them 4-2 on December 8th.

The Senators will turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.

The Senators will likely turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.