It feels like a bit of a changing of the guard in the Columbus Blue Jackets crease.
Maybe not.
But it's not just a coincidence that head coach Dean Evason has opted to go with Jet Greaves in the last four games, ending the alternating game-by-game crease share between Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins.
| Nov. 15, NYR | 1 GA |
|---|---|
| Nov. 13, EDM | 4 GA |
| Nov. 11, @ SEA | 1 GA |
| Nov. 15, @ EDM | 5 GA |
When the Blue Jackets opted to break the pattern and start Greaves for a second straight game, it was on the heels of a game just 24 hours prior. A customary spot to start the backup goalie. Columbus had just dropped a crushing overtime decision against the Edmonton Oilers last Monday and were right back at it with the Seattle Kraken Tuesday night.
A flu outbreak was making its way around the dressing room, so perhaps that would have been part of the reason for the second consecutive Greaves start. But Evason did not say Merzlikins was sick.
#CBJ Dean Evason was asked by media this afternoon in Seattle if Jet Greaves' getting consecutive starts was due to Elvis Merzlikins' being sick, his recent performances, etc.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 12, 2025
Evason: "I don't know if we need a reason for it. (Jet's) just going to go tonight."
Greaves and the Jackets locked down and ended a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 shootout win in Seattle to cap off a 1-3-1 road trip. With the Oilers back in Columbus for the rematch on Thursday, Evason said Merzlikins was healthy.
#CBJ Jet Greaves will start tonight vs. #LetsGoOilers. Coach Dean Evason said Elvis Merzlikins is healthy.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 13, 2025
With the New York Rangers in town Saturday night and Merzlikins having last played a week prior against the Vancouver Canucks, Evason went with Greaves yet again.
#CBJ Dean Evason with a cryptic answer this morning when asked if Jet Greaves starting four in a row including tonight vs. #NYR was "based on merit" and if he's "grabbed" the No. 1 job after sharing starts with Elvis Merzllikins for the first month of the season: pic.twitter.com/jlRFkUY2hh
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 15, 2025
The decision proved fruitful as Greaves — as well as counterpart Igor Shesterkin — were outstanding on Saturday night. Neither goaltender allowed an even-strength goal, limiting the other team to one goal apiece before a shootout decided things in favor of the Rangers.
Per MoneyPuck, Shesterkin had 2.39 goals saved above expected. Greaves was even better, at 2.53 GSAx. In that metric for the season, Greaves has played well, sitting top 10 among all goaltenders, with 7.9 GSAx (all situations). Merzlikins hasn't been bad himself (16th, 5.0). In 5v5 play, Merzlikins is ninth (6.2).
It's speculative as to whether there's an underlying reason beyond which goalie plays when and how often, but perhaps Evason's cryptic messaging behind it leads to something off the ice. Perhaps it goes back to one of the Blue Jackets' toughest losses of the season two weeks ago against the New York Islanders, when the Jackets surrendered two goals 29 seconds apart in the final 1:07, marring one of Merzlikins' best starts of the year.
Merzlikins slammed his stick twice on the net, an emotional outburst we've seen before, and something we know Evason does not like.
The homestand concludes with Monday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens before the Blue Jackets head back north across the border to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Seems like the timing would be right to give Merzlikins a start, perhaps on Tuesday, since Greaves is coming off allowing just one goal in regulation against New York.
