James Reimer was serviceable in his Ottawa debut on Sunday, evidently giving the team enough trust in him to send Merilainen down to Belleville (AHL). The 23-year-old Merilainen has had a terrible season in Ottawa, which has been even worse since Linus Ullmark (personal) has been away from the team, posting a dreadful 3.27 GAA and .843 SV% in 10 games (4-5-1).
Even on the tail-end of a back-to-back, the Sens opt against giving James Reimer his team debut and instead will hand Merilainen his second start in as many nights. Merilainen was sharp in Tuesday's win over the Canucks, stopping 19 of the 20 shots he faced enroute to the 2-1 victory. The 23-year-old netminder has been inconsistent at best when called upon this season, posting a 7-10-0 record and an .870 SV% across 18 appearances. The Senators enter action on Wednesday at -115 on the money line.
The Senators are entrenched in an ugly four-game losing streak and will need Merilainen be a difference-maker on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 23-year-old Merilainen has an ugly 3.48 GAA and .866 SV% in 17 games this season (6-10-0). He has a 3.04 GAA and .826 SV% in his last four games (0-4-0). That said, the Senators enter Tuesday's contest as -220 home favorites against a struggling Canucks team that lost 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens yesterday, extending their losing streak to seven games (0-5-2).
Merilainen will somewhat surprisingly get the nod in goal for the second time in as many nights when the Sens travel to Denver on Thursday. Merilainen took the loss last night, giving up three goals on 21 shots in a 3-1 loss in Utah. The 23-year-old netminder has appeared in 15 games for the Senators this season, logging a 6-8-0 record and an .868 SV%. As you might expect, Merilainen and the Senators enter action on Thursday as massive underdogs at +225 on the money line.
With Linus Ullmark still on a leave of absence due to personal reasons, the Senators will again hand Merilainen the start when they travel to Utah on Wednesday. Merilainen struggled in his last start, allowing three goals on eight shots before being pulled as the Senators lost 5-3 to the Red Wings on Monday. The 23-year-old netminder has appeared in 14 games this season, logging a 6-7-0 record and an .869 SV%. The Sens enter action on Wednesday at +105 on the money line.
Merilainen remains the go-to option for the Senators with Linus Ullmark (personal) away from the team, and will return to the crease on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old Merilainen has a subpar 3.34 GAA and .875 SV% in 13 games this season (6-7-0). That said, he has won two straight while posting a 2.50 GAA and .904 SV%. The Senators enter Monday's contest as -153 home favorites against a Red Wings team on a two-game losing streak (0-1-1).
Merilainen remains the go-to option for the Senators with Linus Ullmark (personal) away from the team, and will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old Merilainen has a subpar 3.34 GAA and .875 SV% in 13 games this season (6-7-0). That said, he has won two straight while posting a 2.50 GAA and .904 SV%. The Senators enter Monday's contest as -153 home favorites against a Red Wings team on a two-game losing streak (0-1-1).
With Linus Ullmark (personal) still away from the team, Merilainen continues his duties as the Senators' de facto starting goalie. The 23-year-old Merilainen did not fare well in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has a 3.51 GAA and .869 SV% in 11 games this season (4-7-0).
With Linus Ullmark (personal) away from the team, Merilainen will jump into the starting position, beginning with Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Merilainen was serviceable in relief of Ullmark in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%). The 23-year-old goalie has a 3.43 GAA and .874 SV% in 10 games this season (4-6-0). The Senators enter Monday's contest as sizable -207 home favorites against a Blue Jackets team that played last night, winning 4-2 over the New York Islanders.
The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.
The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.
The Senators are off to a solid 12-7-4 start to the season, largely without the services of Brady Tkachuk, but he will return from an injury on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Merilainen will tend the twine, looking to rebound after a 2-1 loss in his most recent performance when he saved 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The 23-year-old netminder has a 3.25 GAA and .875 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Senators enter the action as -114 road favorites against the Blues.
The Senators have won two straight and will turn to Merilainen between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed three goals on 18 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent game, but still recorded a 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. He has a 3.53 GAA and .868 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Senators enter the action on Monday as +133 road underdogs against a Kings team that has scored only six goals in its last four games (1-1-2).
