Tarasov will search for his first win as a Florida Panther when he tends the twine on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old netminder has been used sparingly this season, posting a 2.50 GAA and .891 SV% while playing in only four games (0-3-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Capitals team coming off an impressive 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions have battled adversity early in the 2025-26 season, plagued by a myriad of key injuries, and have fought their way to a 5-5-0 record. Tarasov will return to the crease for the Panthers on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 26-year-old goalie continues his search for his first victory in a Panthers' jersey, posting a 3.08 GAA and .887 SV% in two games (0-2-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -183 home favorites against a Ducks team with a 4-3-1 record.
After winning their first three games, the Panthers have lost two straight and will turn to Tarasov between the pipes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Tarasov was unspectacular in his only outing this season, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as +134 road underdogs against a Devils team that has scored 11 goals through their first three games (2-1-0).
Despite multiple key injuries, the reigning Stanley Cup champions are off to a 3-0-0 start and will award Tarasov his first start as a Panther on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Tarasov spent the entirety of his career in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, posting a 3.44 GAA and .898 SV% in 65 games (19-34-6). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -146 road favorites against a Flyers team searching for its first victory (0-1-1).
Florida has secured their new backup netminder for the 2025-26 season after the Panthers signed Daniil Tarasov to a one-year, $1.05 million contract. The 26-year-old was acquired from Columbus last week for a 5th-round pick and will provide a backup option for Sergei Bobrovsky after Florida let Vitek Vanecek head to free agency. Tarasov struggled in 2024-25, with a 7-10-2 record, 3.54 GAA and ,881 SV%.
Florida acquired its new backup goaltender for the upcoming 2025-26 season on Thursday after picking up Daniil Tarasov from Columbus for a 2025 5th-round pick (160th overall). The 26-year-old, whose dad has ties back in Russia with Sergei Bobrovsky, struggled in 2024-25 with the Blue Jackets, posting an ugly 7-10-2 record alongside his 3.54 GAA and .881 SV%.
The Blue Jackets are playing the tail end of a back-to-back on Friday and were anticipating having Tarasov tend the twine, but he is battling an illness and will not be able to suit up. Elvis Merzlikins will start for the second consecutive night.
With Elvis Merzlikins temporarily unavailable due to personal reasons, Tarasov will start Saturday vs. the Rangers. Tarasov comes in on a three-game winning streak with a 2.32 GAA and .930 SV%. Tarasov has faced the Rangers twice this season, going 1-0-1 while stopping 58 of 61 shots (.951 SV%) and one shutout.
With Elvis Merzlikins temporarily unavailable due to personal reasons, Tarasov will start Saturday vs. the Rangers. Tarasov comes in on a three-game winning streak with a 2.32 GAA and .930 SV%. Tarasov has faced the Rangers twice this season, going 1-0-1 while stopping 58 of 61 shots (.951 SV%) and one shutout.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for the first time in nearly a month. Tarasov last appeared in the Blue Jackets' crease on January 31st when he saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.69 GAA and .876 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-2). The Blue Jackets have won two straight and enter Thursday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team with points in 11 of their last 12 games (9-1-2).
The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for the first time in nearly a month. Tarasov last appeared in the Blue Jackets' crease on January 31st when he saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.69 GAA and .876 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-2). The Blue Jackets have won two straight and enter Thursday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team with points in 11 of their last 12 games (9-1-2).
Tarasov will get the nod in the tail-end of Columbus' back-to-back when they travel to Utah on Friday. Tarasov hasn't appeared in a game since allowing six goals on 42 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Hurricanes on January 23rd. The 25-year-old netminder owns a 4-7-2 record and an underwhelming .871 SV% on the season. The Blue Jackets enter action in Utah on Friday at +180 on the money line.
A night after an impressive 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets will switch to Tarasov between the pipes. Tarasov was excellent in his most recent outing, a 26-save shutout, his first of the season, in a 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.64 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games this season (4-6-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as significant +320 road favorites despite playing their best hockey of the season, collecting a point in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1).
Tarasov has returned from a conditioning stint with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and will tend the twine for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 25-year-old Tarasov played reasonably in a two-game stint in the AHL (1-1-0), posting a 2.96 GAA and .908 SV%. He has a 4.23 GAA and .857 SV% in 10 appearances with the Blue Jackets this season (3-6-1). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as slight -103 home underdogs against a Flyers club that defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 last night.
