Leevi served as the backup to Anton Forsberg over the weekend as Joonas Korpisalo was out of the lineup with an illness. Merilainen has a 3.02 GAA and .904 SV% in 16 games (7-6-1) with Belleville (AHL) this season.
Sorokin is riding a three-game winning streak and should return to the crease on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Sorokin saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a commanding 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday, as the Islanders have outscored their opposition 13-6 over their last three games (3-0-0). The Blues defeated the Islanders 4-0 two weeks ago with Semyon Varlamov between the pipes.
Shesterkin was on the wrong end of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, snapping his seven-game winning streak, but will likely return to the crease on Monday. The 28-year-old netminder has been sensational since returning from the All-Star break, allowing fewer than two goals in five of eight games (7-0-1) while boasting an outstanding .948 SV%. The Rangers are +114 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers squad riding a four-game winning streak.
Irwin's demotion to the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) likely suggests that Carson Soucy (hand) is nearing an imminent return to the Vancouver lineup. Irwin has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 46 games with Abbotsford this season.
Lyubushkin made his debut with the Maple Leafs on Saturday after being acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the week but was unable to complete the game, playing only 12:12 time-on-ice before exiting with a head injury after being hit by New York Ranger Matt Rempe. The hard-nosed Lybushkin is in his second stint with the Maple Leafs and has 116 hits and 138 blocks in 56 games this season.
With Elvis Merzlikins battling an upper-body injury, the Blue Jackets will likely turn to Tarasov between the pipes on Monday night. Despite only recording one win in his last three outings (1-2-0), Tarasov has played well lately, showcasing a solid .929 SV% while allowing three or fewer goals in each contest. That said, the Blue Jackets are +153 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that has been outscored 12-6 over the last two games (0-2-0).
Ersson had the night off in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators but will return to the crease on Monday night. In his last outing, Ersson allowed five goals on 21 shots (.762 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals and has allowed four or more goals in three of his last six games (2-3-1). The Flyers enter action as -137 home favourites against against a St. Louis Blues club that has scored three or fewer goals in four straight (1-2-1).
Harkins played 7:07 time-on-ice in Sunday's crushing 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old Harkins has four points (0G / 4A) in 42 games this season and was unsuccessful on a penalty shot attempt in the loss.
