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.