Elvis Merzlikins News

The Blue Jackets went with Joonas Korpisalo in their season opening loss, so they'll go to Merzlikins in the rematch on Saturday. Merzlikins was really good after being called up from the AHL last season, going 13-9-8 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts in 33 games. In his only start vs. the Predators, Merzlikins stopped 33 of 36 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss in February, 2020.

Merzlikins was banged up in the Blue Jackets’ Game 4 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs and was not available to backup in Game 5. Head coach John Tortorella was not sure how long Merzlikins will be out when he met with the media on Monday. Look for Joonas Korpisalo to start Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Merzlikins exploded onto the scene in his first year in North America, going 13-9-8 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts. Merzlikins went on an eight-game winning streak from mid-January to mid-February and was hurt right before the season paused. This signing comes less than a week after Columbus signed Joonas Korpisalo to a two-year, $5.6 million extension ($2.8M AAV), so they've got their young goaltending duo tied up for the next two seasons at a $6.9M AAV cap-hit.

Merzlikins was hurt in a collision with Anthony Duclair midway through the second period and as taken out of Monday's game. The Blue Jackets announced that he will not return. Luckily, they just got Joonas Korpisalo back and he entered the game for the rookie netminder.

Merzlikins stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced on Monday, falling to the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Merzlikins is on an absolute tear right now. He's won 10 of his last 13 starts, posting a .951 SV% in the process. He draws another strong matchup tonight against the Rangers.

Merzlikins allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Avalanche. Merzlikins actually lost a game. It happened. Still, it was a strong showing for the rookie netminder, who is 8-1-0 with a 1.12 GAA, .962 SV% and five shutouts in the last month. Tonight he faces a Lightning team that has gone 18-2-1 in his last 21 games, but Merzlikins is too hot to put on your bench right now.

Merzlikins stopped all 16 shots that he faced inn last night's shutout win over the Red Wings. Yet another shutout for Merzlikins, who is 8-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .967 SV% and five shutouts in his last eight starts. Even with a rough matchup with the Avalanche in town, Merzlikins is too hot to fade right now.

Merzlikins stopped all 16 shots that he faced inn last night's shutout win over the Red Wings. Yet another shutout for Merzlikins, who is 8-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .967 SV% and five shutouts in his last eight starts. Even with a rough matchup with the Avalanche in town, Merzlikins is too hot to fade right now.

Merzlikins stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets shutout win over the Panthers on Tuesday. Merzlikins is now riding a seven-game winning streak, posting a 1.14 GAA, .965 SV% and four shutouts. His numbers since Joonas Korpisalo went down are absolutely mind-blowing and he is the obvious top goalie tonight with the Red Wings in town on the tail-end of a back-to-back.

Merzlikins gave up three goals on 30 shots in the Blue Jackets win in Montreal on Sunday. Merzlikins extended his winning streak to six games, posting a 1.34 GAA, .959 SV% and three shutouts in the process. He's been a revelation for the Blue Jackets, who will face a Panthers team that played last night. Florida has won seven of their last eight games while scoring 4.38 goals per game.