Merilainen made 29 saves in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

Ottawa scored three times in the first period, so the only real suspense in the game came from whether Merilainen would be able to secure his first NHL shutout. The 22-year-old has played well overall since making his season debut in late December, going 3-2-0 in five outings with a 2.42 GAA and .911 save percentage. With Linus Ullmark (back) still lacking a timeline for his return, Merilainen should continue splitting the workload in the crease with Anton Forsberg for the Senators.

Merilainen will guard the road goal versus the Penguins on Saturday, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen has allowed 11 goals on 95 shots en route to a 2-2-0 record in four NHL appearances this season. He surrendered four goals on 25 shots to Dallas on Jan. 2 in a 4-2 loss during his last outing. Pittsburgh ranks 14th in the league with 3.07 goals per game in 2024-25.

Merilainen made 21 saves in a 4-2 loss to Dallas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

It was a tough night for Merilainen, who had won both of his starts so far this season. But his mates mustered just 13 shots on Jake Oettinger at the other end of the ice, and no goalie can win with that little effort from his teammates. Anton Forsberg, who hadn't dressed for six games due to a lower-body injury, returned as his backup and will likely get the team's next start.

Merilainen will tend the twine for Thursday's road game against Dallas, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen has been inconsistent over his last few appearances, going 2-1-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .900 save percentage across his last three outings. Although he'll draw the start for the third time in the Senators' last five games, head coach Travis Green said that Anton Forsberg (lower body) will dress as the backup for Thursday's matchup, so Merilainen's opportunities will likely decrease soon.

Merilainen stopped 30 of 31 shots in Sunday's 3-1 win over Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen has made three appearances this season and has posted a solid 2-1-0 record while giving up two of fewer goals in two of those outings. His save percentage isn't very high since he posted a figure below the .860 mark in his first two outings, though, so the sample is too small to assess what he might bring to the table. However, this was certainly an improved effort compared to his previous two outings. Merilainen figures to be in the NHL until at least one of Linus Ullmark (upper body) or Anton Forsberg (lower body) is able to return to action.

Merilainen is set to start on the road against Minnesota on Sunday, per TSN 1200 Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen stopped 12 of 14 shots in 36:39 of ice time last Sunday and was charged for the loss in a 3-1 defeat to Edmonton. One day prior to that outing, he turned aside 21 of 25 shots in a 5-4 overtime victory over Vancouver. The Wild have an impressive 22-10-4 record, though they are middling in terms of goals per game, tied for 20th with 2.94.

Merilainen was called up from AHL Belleville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen has started the last two games, as Linus Ullmark (back) and Anton Forsberg (undisclosed) have both been out of action. Merilainen is 1-1-0 this season, allowing six goals on 39 shots. He could get another start in Winnipeg on Saturday if Ullmark and Forsberg are both unable to go.

Merilainen was loaned to AHL Belleville on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen entered Sunday's game against the Oilers at the start of the second period after Linus Ullmark (upper body) exited the matchup. Merilainen took the loss in the relief appearance and will head to the minors ahead of the NHL's Christmas break, which could signal that Ullmark or Anton Forsberg (undisclosed) could return to action following the layoff.

Merilainen stopped 12 of 14 shots in relief of Linus Ullmark (upper body) in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

The Senators tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period, but Merilainen gave up goals to Zach Hyman and Adam Henrique en route to taking the loss in his relief appearance. With due respect to the 22-year-old Merilainen, Ullmark's injury has put the Senators' goaltending depth in a worst-case scenario -- Anton Forsberg (undisclosed) is also out, and the team is on its longest road trip of the season. Merilianen has given up six goals on 39 shots across his two appearances. If both Ullmark and Forsberg are unavailable when the Senators' schedule resumes Saturday in Winnipeg, Merilainen would temporarily take over as the No. 1 goalie, and Mads Sogaard would likely rise to the NHL to fill the backup role.

Merilainen allowed four goals on 25 shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen allowed the Canucks to bounce back from three deficits but still came away with the win when Jake Sanderson scored 13 seconds into the extra session. This was Merilainen's first NHL appearance since the 2022-23 season, and he earned his first career win. The 22-year-old has been backing up the red-hot Linus Ullmark since Anton Forsberg (undisclosed) went down with an injury last weekend. Don't expect Merilainen to get many starts, though he could make an appearance when the Senators resume their schedule and road trip with games in Winnipeg next Saturday and Minnesota next Sunday.