What Happened
Leevi Merilainen, claimed off waivers from the Ottawa Senators four days before the regular season, has outperformed veteran Kevin Lankinen in the early going for the Vancouver Canucks. Lankinen allowed six goals on 25 shots in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers, dropping his save percentage to .786, which ranks 36th among 37 NHL goalies with at least three games played. Merilainen sits eighth at .929. Vancouver has started Merilainen in two of seven games, and he was also sharp in two extended relief appearances.
Key Details
- Merilainen was claimed off waivers from Ottawa four days before the regular season.
- Lankinen's .786 save percentage ranks 36th among 37 goalies with at least three games played.
- Merilainen's .929 save percentage ranks eighth among that same group.
- Vancouver has been outscored 17-5 in the first half of a six-game eastern road trip.
- The Canucks have the worst defensive record in the NHL.
- Vancouver faces the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
What It Means
Vancouver's goaltending has become an early-season flashpoint as the team searches for stability in net. Merilainen, who has started two of seven games, has made a case for a larger role, while Lankinen's numbers have lagged behind. The save percentages come from small sample sizes and could shift significantly this early in the season.
What's Next
The Canucks play the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the next opportunity for the club to decide how it splits starts between Merilainen and Lankinen.