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).
Matinpalo will fill in for Travis Hamonic, who was a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Matinpalo is yet to register a point in 23 games this season.
The Sabres are coming off a monumental 4-3 come-from-behind overtime win over the New York Rangers in a heated race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They will roll with Ullmark between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 31-year-old Ullmark has an ugly 3.19 GAA and .893 SV% in his last four games but has salvaged a 3-0-1 record. He has a 2.73 GAA and .908 SV% in 31 appearances this season (15-11-3). The Senators enter Monday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Red Wings team amid a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).
The Senators acquired Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a 4th Round Pick from the Sharks for Zack Ostapchuk, Noah Gregor, and a 2025 2nd Round Pick before Friday's trade deadline. Zetterlund had been an effective secondary scorer for the Sharks the previous two seasons, including scoring 36 points (17G / 19A) in 64 games this season.
The Sabres are coming off a monumental 4-3 come-from-behind overtime win over the New York Rangers in a heated race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They will likely roll with Ullmark between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 31-year-old Ullmark has an ugly 3.19 GAA and .893 SV% in his last four games but has salvaged a 3-0-1 record. He has a 2.73 GAA and .908 SV% in 31 appearances this season (15-11-3). The Senators enter Monday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Red Wings team amid a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).
The Senators acquired Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 2nd Round Pick from the Sabres for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. After a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 68 points (31G / 37A) in 81 games, Cozens has not lived up to expectations in Buffalo, scoring only 78 points (29G / 49A) in 140 games in two seasons since. The 23-year-old Cozens will get the opportunity to re-establish his game in Ottawa with a group of talented young forwards. Cozens will likely take Josh Norris' former spot on Ottawa's top line, playing between David Perron and Drake Batherson.
The acquisition of Zetterlund caps a busy trade deadline for the Senators. Zetterlund has been an effective secondary scorer for the Sharks the previous two seasons, including scoring 36 points (17G / 19A) in 64 games this season.
Kleven has not played since February 26th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 14:19 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A), 76 blocks, and 70 hits in 58 games this season.
After a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 68 points (31G / 37A) in 81 games, Cozens has not lived up to expectations in Buffalo, scoring only 78 points (29G / 49A) in 140 games in two seasons since. The 23-year-old Cozens will get the opportunity to re-establish his game in Ottawa with a group of talented young forwards. Cozens will likely take Josh Norris' former spot on Ottawa's top line, playing between David Perron and Drake Batherson.
Ersson had a forgetful performance in the Flyers' previous outing, allowing three goals on five shots (.400 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames, and will hope for a better result on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 25-year-old Ersson has a 2.91 GAA and .890 SV% in 35 appearances this season (18-10-4). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against a Jets team they defeated 2-1 less than a week ago.
Chabot saw 14:07 of ice time in Wednesday night's game in Chicago before ultimately being unable to suit up for the third period. We should get an update on his status ahead of Ottawa's game against the Rangers on Saturday.
The Senators are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals and will attempt to rebound on Wednesday, turning to Ullmark between the pipes against the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite allowing four goals, Ullmark played well in his last outing, saving 37 shots (.902 SV%). He has a 2.71 GAA and .911 SV% in 29 appearances this season (13-11-3). The Senators enter the action on Wednesday as sizeable -236 road favorites against a Blackhawks squad that has scored 18 goals in their last three games (2-1-0).
The Senators are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals and will attempt to rebound on Wednesday, likely turning to Ullmark between the pipes against the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite allowing four goals, Ullmark played well in his last outing, saving 37 shots (.902 SV%). He has a 2.71 GAA and .911 SV% in 29 appearances this season (13-11-3). The Senators enter the action on Wednesday as sizeable -236 road favorites against a Blackhawks squad that has scored 18 goals in their last three games (2-1-0).
The Flyers will turn to Ersson between the pipes on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Ersson struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 25-year-old Ersson has a 2.82 GAA and .893 SV% in 34 games this season (18-10-4). The Flyers enter Tuesday's contest as -142 home favorites against a Flames squad that has only scored once in their last three games (0-2-1).
Kleven suffered the injury in the first period of Wednesday's game and has not played since. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 14:19 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A), 76 blocks, and 70 hits in 58 games this season.
Ullmark saved 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, helping the Senators snap a five-game losing skid. The 31-year-old Ullmark will return to the crease on Monday, looking to build on his 2.67 GAA and .911 SV% through 28 games this season (13-11-2). Ullmark has been solid in the latter half of the season, posting a 2.30 GAA and .931 SV% in his last 15 appearances (9-4-1). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals squad amid a three-game losing skid.
