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.
Sillinger has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings when Merzlikins saved 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). Merzlikins will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, looking to improve his 2.95 GAA and .894 SV% through 32 games (18-11-3). The 30-year-old netminder has been solid lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a .925 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as +252 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has lost six of their last eight (2-4-2).
Sillinger was a surprise scratch before Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.
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).
Sillinger was a surprise scratch before Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and his status remains uncertain on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.
Sillinger was a surprise scratch on Wednesday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The team added he is considered day-to-day with the injury, making him unlikely to suit up for Thursday's game in Carolina.
Despite appearing to be shaken up at the morning skate, Merzlikins will make his 31st start of the season when the Blue Jackets travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Merzlikins didn't turn in his best performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss on Long Island. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the 30-year-old netminder. Merzlikins carries a 16-11-3 record and an .890 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup. He'll have a hard time getting back in the win column against the Maple Leafs as the Blue Jackets enter action at +175 on the money line.
Harris has not played since January 4th but will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Harris is averaging 11:39 time-on-ice, recording 26 blocks, 17 hits, and three points (1G / 2A) in 24 games this season.
Merzlikins left the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Wednesday early due to an undisclosed ailment. It's unclear if this will affect his availability for Wednesday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mateychuk did not play the previous game for the Blue Jackets and will remain out of the lineup due to an illness on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:10 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games this season.
Mateychuk was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jack Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.
Johnson will fill in for Denton Mateychuk, who is listed as a scratch. Johnson has appeared in 27 games this season, registering zero goals and two assists.
Daniil Tarasov between the pipes in Saturday's 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins on Monday against the New York Islanders. Merzlikins saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 3.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders club they defeated 2-0 on October 30th.
With Justin Danforth (lower body) returning from a multi-week absence, Labanc will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Labanc is averaging 10:29 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 33 games this season.
