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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Cam Talbot will make his Senators' starting debut Saturday vs. Philadelphia

Talbot got his first taste of NHL action Thursday, stopping 13 of 13 shots in relief of Anton Forsberg in a loss after coming off the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 49 games last season, Talbot won 32 games while amassing a .911 SV% and three shutouts. He will face the Philadelphia Flyers who have lost their last three games after dropping a 5-2 contest to Toronto Wednesday.

Cam Talbot
Cam Talbot will dress and be the backup Thursday vs. Vegas

Talbot while rerturn Thursday after he missed the entire start of the 2022-23 season after suffering from a rib injury in training camp. Traded from the Wild in the offseason for Filip Gustavsson, Talbot enters his 10th NHL season having 201 career victories and a .915 career SV%.

Cam Talbot
Cam Talbot participated in full practice Friday

Talbot surprisingly returned to full practice Friday for the Ottawa Senators after missing the last few weeks due to a rib injury. Head Coach DJ Smith said "Talbot will come on the trip but won't play. He can skate and take shots each day on the trip." The 35-year-old netminder was acquired in the offseason for Filip Gustavsson after enjoying a 32-win season in Minnesota in 2021-22 while posting a .911 SV% and 2.76 GAA.

Cam Talbot
Merzlikins will start Friday vs. the Bruins.

Merzlikins stopped five of six shots (.833 SV%) his last time out taking the crease as he came in as relief in a 6-3 loss to Arizona Tuesday. Merzlikins has struggled to find his footing this season, posting a .863 SV% and 4.06 GAA through five starts. He draws the task of taking on a surging Boston Bruins team that is coming off a 5-1 victory last night over the Detroit Red Wings to continue their four-game winning streak and move their record to 7-1-0.

Elvis Merzlikins
Cam Talbot was back on the ice Wednesday taking shots

Talbot was spotted on the ice at Senators' practice taking shots alongside Anton Forberg after missing the last three weeks due to an upper-body injury. He is still a few weeks away from returning but it is a great sign for Ottawa's big offseason addition. He is currently sitting on 201 career wins with a .915 SV% through 396 career GP.

Cam Talbot
Merzlikins will start Thursday vs. the Predators.

Elvis will draw his third start of the season after stopping 32 of 35 shots in an overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday. After missing Columbus' first two games due to injury, he has struggled in his two starts going 1-0-1 with a 3.90 GAA and .867 SV%. He faces the struggling Predators who have dropped their last three contest.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. the Canucks.

Elvis Merzlikins will draw his second start of the season as the winless Columbus Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks in the battle of zero-win teams. After missing the first two games of 2022-23 due to illness, Merzlikins was shelled in his return to action allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He will hope to right the ship and get Columbus into the win column for the first time in four games.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start in St. Louis on Saturday.

Merzlikins will get his first start of 2022-23 after missing Columbus’ opening two matchups due to illness. The 28-year-old had his worst of his three seasons in 2021-22, posting a .907 SV% alongside his high 3.22 GAA. He will look to bounce back this season as the Blue Jackets take on St. Louis on the road Saturday.

Elvis Merzlikins