Ottawa Senators’ Finnish goalie Leevi Meriläinen has found himself in a tough spot as the starting goalie Linus Ullmark is sidelined. The 23-year-old Meriläinen has played ten consecutive games with less than flattering success.

On Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, Meriläinen’s poor form continued as he allowed six goals on just 19 shots. The Senators were still leading five minutes before the end of the third period, but the Canadiens took the win in overtime 6–5. Meriläinen’s save percentage ended up at 68.42%.

After the game, Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson did not hold back in his comments.

– I think Leevi (Meriläinen) made some good saves. But in the end, a goalie needs to stop more than ten shots for the team to win the game, the star selected for the U.S. Olympic team shot to Sportsnet.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, on the other hand, defended the young goalie.

– It’s easy to criticize, but this sport is not about one player, it’s about the whole team. He has a bright career ahead of him. The message is that you don’t win or lose a game with one player, but with the whole team, Tkachuk said.

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