Two games into the 2025-26 season, the Ottawa Senators are 1-1-0 overall. The Senators won 5-4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and fell 6-2 last night against the Florida Panthers.
While Shane Pinto has been a huge bright spot with scoring four goals in the first two games, goaltending has been a concern along with the penalty kill. Linus Ullmark has started both games on the season for Ottawa, but they haven't been the best starts.
Ullmark has allowed in 10 goals through the first two games with an .808 save percentage. Concern around Ullmark can be with reason. However, with the Senators' schedule ahead this week, there's reason to give his Ullmark's backup Leevi Merilainen some starts.
How Merilainen could get three starts this week
The old saying of "it's preseason" was with Merilainen this year when he allowed in 11 goals in his final two preseason starts, but the regular season is where the 23-year-old can get better to grow after his strong 12 NHL games last season.
This week, the Senators have four games on the schedule:
Tomorrow vs Nashville Predators
Wednesday @ Buffalo Sabres
Thursday vs Seattle Kraken
Saturday vs New York Islanders
The Predators game could be a start for Merilainen due to Ullmark's struggles in the first two games. It also allows Merilainen to get an early start into the season.
For Wednesday and Thursday, a can be expected for Merilainen due to the back-to-back on the season. The Sabres may offer as the best game for Merilainen to start for the back-to-back.
Last season, Ullmark started two of the four Buffalo games. Combined, Ullmark allowed in nine goals. Merilainen didn't play against the Sabres last season, so it could be a challenge for Buffalo to figure out a new goaltender.
Along with Buffalo, the next day Ottawa plays Seattle at home. One of Ullmark's best games last season was when he recorded a 30-save shutout against the Kraken on the road on Dec. 17. Starting Ullmark with success against Seattle from last season can be a consideration for head coach Travis Green.
That then leaves the Islanders game on Saturday. Last season, the Islanders won two of the three games in the season series against the Senators.
Anton Forsberg started in the two games the Senators lost, but the one game the team included Merilainen in goal. Merilainen recorded a 24-save shutout on Jan. 14 on Long Island against the Islanders. With success against the Islanders last season, starting Merilainen on Saturday could be the move.
Goaltending is an area that needs improvement from the first two games of the season. This week with four games on the schedule, the Senators could use Merilainen more over Ullmark.