2 weeks agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will start between the sticks on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will try to end a five-game losing streak. Merzlikins' recent dip in form has left a negative mark on his record, as the Latvian netminder is now 22-18-5 for the season. He has allowed 3.00 goals with a .897 save percentage and one shutout. Recent weeks have been difficult for Merzlikins, but he has had the Penguins' number this season, winning both of his previous two starts against them, with only five goals allowed. Jet Greaves will serve as Merzlikins's backup on Friday, as Daniil Tarasov (illness) did not travel to the game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Portzline
3 months agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (undisclosed) has been named the starter for Friday's matchup against Boston. The Latvian netminder sat out Columbus' final game ahead of the holiday break, as he has reportedly been banged up. However, Merzlikins appears to have shaken off whatever bothered him and is ready for action on Friday. It's been another wild ride for Merzlikins in 2024-25, with him going 10-9-3. He put together a four-game winning streak last month but has celebrated just three victories in eight December starts. The 30-year-old has allowed 3.13 goals for the campaign with a .889 save percentage and one shutout. Friday's matchup puts Merzlikins in a challenging spot, as the Bruins have heated up with an 8-2-1 run.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Svoboda
5 months agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins stopped the Islanders from scoring on Wednesday, picking up his first shutout of the season with 26 saves in a 2-0 win. The Latvian netminder has now saved 57 of 58 shots across his last two starts since returning to the lineup from a lower-body injury. Merzlikins improved to 2-2-0 on Wednesday and has a 2.05 goals-against average for the season with a .925 save percentage. The next time he heads out, Merzlikins will be battling for his first three-game winning streak in three seasons.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 months agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is expected to miss some time with an upper-body injury. The team announced that he will be out "short-term." It was initially reported that Merzlikins simply needed rest and would get a few days off. The Latvian netminder has endured another rough stretch to start the 2024-25 campaign, losing each of his first two starts and giving up seven goals while producing a .854 save percentage. The Blue Jackets have recalled Jet Greaves from the minors, with Daniil Tarasov likely getting the nod for Thursday's battle against Buffalo.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Portzline
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