Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Tue 4/16/24 12:41 PM

Merzlikins (lower body) will serve as the backup to Jet Greaves on Tuesday at home against Carolina, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins had a disappointing season but didn't get much help from his offense all year. The 30-year-old recorded an .897 save percentage and a 13-17-8 record in 41 appearances. His status for the 2024-25 campaign is somewhat unclear. Although he is signed through 2026-27, the netminder requested a trade in January after seemingly losing the starting gig. He didn't end up getting dealt, and all parties may have put that behind them, but it'll be something worth monitoring during the summer. There is a good chance he'll open the 2024-25 campaign as Columbus' No. 1 goaltender should he remain with the franchise.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Sun 4/7/24 3:18 PM

Merzlikins (lower body) will not be available Sunday against Carolina.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins has now been out for four consecutive games and the team hasn't provided much of an update beyond his day-to-day designation on April 1. The 29-year-old is 1-4-1 with an .860 save percentage over his last six appearances. Malcolm Subban will start Sunday while Jet Greaves dresses as the backup.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Fri 4/5/24 1:00 PM

Merzlikins (lower body) will not play Saturday versus the Flyers, Coby Maeir of 1st Ohio Battery reports.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins will miss his third straight game. The Blue Jackets also lost Daniil Tarasov (upper body) in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Islanders and may need to recall Malcolm Subban from the minors for Saturday's contest if Tarasov is unable to go. Merzlikins is 13-17-8 with a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 41 appearances this season.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Thu 4/4/24 2:58 PM

Merzlikins (lower body) will miss his second straight game Thursday against the Islanders.
EDGE Analysis
Daniil Tarasov will get the call in net against the Isles with Jet Greaves serving as his backup. Merzlikins is 13-17-8 with a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 41 contests this season. Consider him day-to-day at this time -- he could return as early as Saturday against the Flyers.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Mon 4/1/24 11:40 AM

Merzlikins is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won't play Monday versus the Avalanche, Coby Maeir of 1st Ohio Battery reports.
EDGE Analysis
With Merzlikins unavailable, Daniil Tarasov will likely get the nod against Colorado with Jet Greaves serving as his backup. Merzlikins, who's gone 13-17-8 while posting a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 41 appearanes this season, will be reevaluated ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Islanders.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Sat 3/30/24 11:11 PM

Merzlikins stopped 30 of 33 shots in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory over the Penguins.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins was sharp Saturday, turning aside 30 shots in regulation before earning the win in a five-round shootout. It's the first win since March 2 for the 29-year-old Merzlikins -- he'd dropped five outings while allowing six goals in each of his previous three starts. Merzlikins improves to 13-17-8 on the season with an .897 save percentage and a 3.45 GAA. Daniil Tarasov figures to get the start Monday versus Colorado, lining up Merzlikins for a home matchup with the Islanders on Thursday.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Sat 3/30/24 10:20 AM

Merzlikins will be between the home pipes versus Pittsburgh on Saturday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins will attempt to snap a five-game winless streak (0-4-1), and he has given up six goals in each of his last three games. He's 12-17-8 with a 3.47 GAA and an .897 save percentage this season. Merzlikins' recent struggles have opened the door for Daniil Tarasov to take over the starting job in Columbus. The Penguins average 2.92 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Wed 3/27/24 1:49 AM

Merzlikins stopped 29 of 35 shots in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Coyotes.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins just can't find a groove, allowing six goals in each of the last three games. He's surrendered 23 tallies during his five-game losing streak. The 29-year-old is at 12-17-8 with a 3.47 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 40 outings overall. The Blue Jackets have mainly rotated goalies over the last two weeks, so Daniil Tarasov seems likely to start Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Tue 3/26/24 3:23 PM

Merzlikins will defend the road net Tuesday versus Arizona, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
EDGE Analysis
Merzlikins has allowed 17 goals on 119 shots during his four-game winless slump. In 39 games this season, he has provided a 12-16-8 record with a 3.40 GAA and an .899 save percentage. The Coyotes sit 24th in the league this campaign with 2.89 goals per contest.

Elvis Merzlikins
G CBJ
Sat 3/23/24 1:46 AM

Merzlikins allowed six goals on 50 shots in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Avalanche.
EDGE Analysis
The Blue Jackets struck first through Damon Severson, but Merzlikins was unable to keep the Avalanche at bay. This was the 29-year-old goalie's fourth loss in a row, and he's allowed 17 tallies in that span. He's at 12-16-8 with a 3.40 GAA and an .899 save percentage through 39 outings overall. The Blue Jackets visit the Golden Knights on Saturday, which will likely mean Daniil Tarasov starts the second half of the back-to-back set.