Ottawa Senators News

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.

Bourgault was a first-round pick (No.22 overall) in 2021 and will finally make his NHL debut on Saturday after 210 career AHL games. This season, Bourgault has 27 points (9G / 18A) in 32 games with Belleville. He'll start his NHL career on the Senators' fourth line.

Ullmark allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Senators' overtime loss to the Sabres on Tuesday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Ullmark, who has gone 5-2-1 with a. 2.26 GAA and .908 SV% in eight starts in December. Tonight he gets the start in Toronto, where the Senators are -129 road favourites.

Bourgault is second on Belleville in scoring this season, picking up 27 points (9G / 18A) in 32 games. The 23-year-old was a first-round pick in 2021 but did not make his NHL debut with the Oilers and has yet to play for the Senators.

Ersson will make his 14th start of the season when the Flyers travel to Chicago on Tuesday. Ersson was tagged with a fourth consecutive loss in his last start, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss in New York on Saturday. The 26-year-old netminder carries a 5-4-4 record and .867 SV% into Tuesday night's game, where the Flyers enter action at -120 on the money line.

Ullmark has had a shaky 2025-26 season, posting a 2.85 GAA and .884 SV% in 26 games. That said, the 32-year-old goalie is amid his best stretch of the season, winning four straight while posting an impressive 1.85 GAA and .928 SV%. The Senators enter the action on Wednesday as -152 home favorites against a surging Buffalo Sabres team that is on a season-best six-game winning streak.

Ullmark has had a shaky 2025-26 season, posting a 2.85 GAA and .884 SV% in 26 games. That said, the 32-year-old goalie is amid his best stretch of the season, winning four straight while posting an impressive 1.85 GAA and .928 SV%. The Senators enter the action on Wednesday as -152 home favorites against a surging Buffalo Sabres team that is on a season-best six-game winning streak.

Blais has been recalled from the AHL because Jake Evans suffered a lower-body injury and is not expected to play on Sunday. Blais has nine points (3G / 6A) in nine games since joining Laval after being waived by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kleven suffered a lower-body injury during Saturday's win over the Blackhawks and will miss Sunday's game against the Bruins. With Kleven out, look for Nikolas Matinpalo to draw back into the lineup.