Leevi Merilainen is set to make his first start of the season and third in his NHL career as the Ottawa Senators face the Vancouver Canucks. Head coach Travis Green expressed excitement for Merilainen, who steps in for Linus Ullmark, the team's star goalie.

Ullmark has been instrumental in the Sens' five-game winning streak but has faced a heavy workload. Merilainen, recalled from the AHL's Belleville Senators, had a solid record in the minors and aims to maintain the team's strong performance.