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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Gaudreau (illness) will return to Columbus' lineup on Saturday vs. PHI.

Gaudreau did not play in the Blue Jackets' 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday but will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Gaudreau has nearly been a point-per-game player in the second half of the season, scoring 31 points (4G / 27A) in his last 33 games after scoring only 25 (7G / 8A) in his previous 42.

Johnny Gaudreau
Tarasov (upper body) is still without an update on his status for Saturday.

With Elvis Merzlikins (lower body) also day-to-day due to an injury, Columbus will have to call-up a goaltender as they are without an update on Daniil Tarasov after he left Thursday's game early due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old has been on a bit of a tear lately, with his 5-5-1 record and .933 SV% in his last 13 games played.

Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov (upper-body) will not return to Thursday's game against the Islanders.

Tarasov suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. We should expect to receive an update on his injury and a possible timeline for his return following the completion of Thursday's game. Backup netminder Jet Greaves will replace Tarasov for the remainder of the game.

Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov will start on Thursday vs. New York.

The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov in the crease for the second straight game on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Tarasov was outstanding in his last outing, saving 45 of 46 shots (.978 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the typically high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets are riding a two-game winning streak and enter action as +158 road underdogs.

Daniil Tarasov
Fix-Wolansky has been recalled from Cleveland (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Fix-Wolansky has become an elite offensive contributor at the AHL level but has not been able to translate that into NHL success. The 24-year-old has 58 points (24G / 34A) in 54 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season but only has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 career NHL games.

Trey Fix-Wolansky
Tarasov will start on Monday vs. Colorado.

The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies the last several weeks, a trend that will continue on Monday as Elvis Merzlikins has been ruled out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. Tarasov has lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each but played well in his last outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as significant +276 home underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche.

Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov was in the starter's crease at Monday's morning skate.

The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies the last several weeks, a trend that will likely continue on Monday as Elvis Merzlikins has been ruled out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. Tarasov has lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each but played well in his last outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as significant +276 home underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche.

Daniil Tarasov
Danforth (concussion) is expected to return on Monday vs. Colorado.

Danforth has missed the Blue Jackets' previous 11 games due to a concussion but returned to practice on Saturday and will likely return to the lineup on Monday. The 31-year-old is having his best NHL season to date, with 10 goals, 21 points, 22 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 63 games played before the injury.

Justin Danforth
Merzlikins is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not dress on Monday vs. Colorado.

Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov have been alternating starts lately, and with Merzlikins battling a lower-body injury, the trend will likely continue on Monday. On Saturday, Merzlikins recorded his first win in nearly a month, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Elvis Merzlikins