The Columbus Blue Jackets have two quality young goaltenders, but can’t seem to get either one back to their 2019-20 form. The team hasn’t got the production it wanted from Joonas Korpisalo, who has struggled with a 3.46 GAA and a .889 save percentage. And despite already being out with an injury once this year, Elvis Merzlikins looks like he’s going back onto injured reserve after the team announced that he will be out week-to-week after suffering an upper-body injury.
Merzlikins suffered what is believed to be a left arm or shoulder injury during the game against Nashville Saturday, according to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. No word if the injury is related to Merzlikins first trip to IR, also with an upper-body injury.
Merzlikins has only appeared in seven games this year, and has been quite inconsistent himself with a few flashes of brilliance in between. His numbers remain acceptable with a 2.94 GAA and a .905 save percentage, but not up to his fifth-place finish in Vezina Trophy voting last year either.
The team will now have to put their faith in Korpisalo to find his game with Matiss Kivlenieks serving as the backup until Merzlikins is able to return.
Elvis has left the building…