Merilainen stopped nine of 12 shots before being replaced by Mads Sogaard early in the second period of Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

It was a rough second appearance in the NHL for Merilainen, although Sogaard didn't fare any better in his place. With the Senators now officially eliminated from the playoffs, the two young netminders -- Sogaard is 22, while Merilainen is only 20 -- could see the bulk of the work between the pipes for the remainder of the schedule instead of 35-year-old Cam Talbot.

Merilainen will be between the visiting pipes in Florida on Thursday, Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen made his NHL debut Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina, stopping 34 shots. The Senators are on the verge of elimination in the Eastern Conference and are looking towards the future by playing Merilainen against the Panthers. Florida is fifth in NHL scoring, averaging 3.49 goals per game.

Merilainen stopped 34 of 37 shots in the Senators' 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

In his NHL debut, Merilainen started off shaky, allowing two goals in the first period. He would settle in the rest of the game before allowing the eventual game-winner in overtime. The Finnish netminder should remain the backup to Cam Talbot until Mads Sogaard is ready to return.

Merilainen was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports, indicating he will start in Carolina on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen is poised to make his NHL debut after being called up from the minors Sunday. He posted a 41-save shutout win against Toronto in his AHL debut with Belleville on Saturday. Merilainen spent the first part of the year playing in Finland with Karpat.

Merilainen was summoned from AHL Belleville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Mads Sogaard didn't make the trip to Columbus for Sunday's game because of an illness, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. As a result, Merilainen is projected to serve as Cam Talbot's backup versus the Blue Jackets.

Merilainen signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Ottawa on Monday, CapFriendly reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merilainen was a third-round pick by the Senators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old netminder was terrific with Karpat's U20 team in Finland during the 2020-21 season, registering a .934 save percentage in 22 appearances. He's likely still quite a while away from making an NHL impact as he's still filling out his 6-foot-2, 159-pound frame. Merilainen could stay in Finland another year or make his AHL debut at some point next season.