Tarasov will man the Blue Jackets' crease for the second straight night as Elvis Merzlinkins recovers from an illness. Tarasov played well in his season debut, stopping 39 of 43 Caroline Hurricane shots on way to an eventual 4-1 loss. The 23-year-old netminder will be looking for his first career victory as he takes the crease for his fifth career start against the Lightning Friday.

Tarasov will surprisingly take the crease in the Blue Jackets' opener after it was announced that expected starter Elvis Merzlikins would miss Wednesday night's game due to Illness. The 23-year-old Russian netminder enjoyed a successful short stint with the Jackets' in 2021-22, getting his first taste of NHL action across a late-season four-game stint where he produced an impressive .937 SV% and 2.40 GAA. He will be looking to achieve his first career NHL win Wednesday as he leads Columbus between the pipes.

Tarasov went 0-2-0 while allowing just five goals on 78 shots (.936 SV%) in his first two career NHL games. The 22-year-old returns to the AHL with Joonas Korpisalo (illness) activated from IR. Tarasov is 5-2-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% in nine AHL games this season.

Tarasov was a third-round pick (No.86 overall) in 2017 and played in the VHL and KHL last year. Tarasov was 17-6 with a 1.71 GAA, .928 SV% and two shutouts in 25 VHL games before making his KHL debut, where he had a 2.86 GAA and .917 SV% in two games.