Leevi Merilainen Set to Start Against High-Scoring Bruins

Leevi Merilainen will be in net for the Ottawa Senators' home game against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Merilainen, 23, has a 2-1-0 record this season, with a 3.71 GAA and .871 save percentage. After a rough start in his first game, allowing seven goals on 26 shots, he has improved significantly in his last two starts, winning both and stopping 59 of 85 shots. The Bruins present a significant challenge, as they are on a seven-game winning streak and rank sixth in NHL scoring with an average of 3.39 goals per game. Merilainen signed a one-year contract worth $1.05 million with the Senators in June 2025.