Leevi Merilainen News

Ottawa recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville (AHL) on Monday to serve as the backup to Merilainen, as the team opts to give Linus Ullmark the night off on the front end of a back-to-back. Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GGA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1), but struggled immensely in his only outing this season, allowing seven goals on 26 shots (.731 SV%) in a blowout 8-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators enter Monday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Boston Bruins team coming off a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Merilainen started the season in Ottawa, had a poor performance in his only outing, and was sent to Belleville (AHL), where he posted a 3.50 GAA and .897 SV% in two games (1-1-0). He returns to Ottawa, with Mads Sogaard being reassigned to the AHL in a corresponding move.

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.