Merlikins had been having a historically bad season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.10 GAA and .880 SV% and had left the Blue Jackets' to return to Latvia for personal reasons. The 28-year-old returned Wednesday resulting in Daniil Tarasov returning to Cleveland (AHL).
Tarasov was 4-11-1 with a 3.91 GAA and .892 SV with Columbus but will return to Cleveland (AHL) with Elvis Merzlikins returning from Latvia. The 23-year-old returns to Cleveland, where he was 4-5-0 with a 4.07 GAA and .871 SV%.
Tarasov allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his eighth loss in nine starts as he lost to Vegas his last time between the pipes. The 23-year-old has been hung out to dry in his first NHL season, leading to his 3-11-1 record, 3.77 GAA and .896 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who have lost five of their last seven games after a 5-3 loss to Minnesota last game.
McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent.
Tarasov allowed five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) to snap a seven-game losing streak as he beat San Jose in his previous start. The 23-year-old has had a tough first NHL season, with his 3-9-1 record, 3.40 GAA and .903 SV%. He will take on the red-hot Los Angeles Kings, who have won six of their last seven games after this 5-2 win over the New York Islanders last game.
Tarasov last took the Blue Jackets' crease on January 17th and picked up his sixth-straight loss in a 28-save (.929 SV%) defeat to Nashville. The 23-year-old old netminder has struggled to pick up victories with his 2-9-1 record but has a decent .908 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He takes on the struggling San Jose Sharks, who have lost eight of their last nine contests and are 24th in the NHL in both goals per game (2.87) and shots on goal per game (29.9).
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will be away from the team temporarily. His grandmother is seriously ill and he has returned to Latvia to be with family. The 28-year-old has struggled all season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.1 GAA and .880 SV%.
Tarasov was 4-5-0 with a .871 SV% and 4.07 GAA with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus on an emergency basis Friday. The 23-year-old returns to Columbus where he was 2-9-1 with a .908 SV% and 3.28 GAA earlier in the season.
Harris has three goals, 12 assists, 63 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 60 games but will not play Thursday due to a lower-body injury. It is the first time this season that the rookie has been forced to miss time due to injury.
Merzlkins allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Ottawa Senators last game. Merzlikins has been historically bad this season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.15 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss to Florida last game.
Fabbro has a goal, seven assists, 70 SOG, 36 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 56 games played and has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with Nashville. The 24-year-old has 12 goals, 56 points and 121 PIMs through 230 career NHL games across five seasons.
Merzlikins stopped 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Buffalo in his previous start. The 28-year-old has been historically bad this season, with his .879 SV%, 4.10 GAA and 7-15-2 record. He will face the Seattle Kraken, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.49).
Kuraly has 10 goals, seven assists, 86 SOG, 66 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus through 59 games played but is expected to miss around six weeks after he suffered a left oblique strain in practice Thursday.
Labanc missed the Sharks' previous game due to personal reasons but will draw back into the lineup Thursday as they take on the St. Louis Blues. The 27-year-old has 10 goals, 15 assists, 95 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 51 games this season.
Gillies has a 5-8-2 record, .878 SV% and 3.70 GAA with the Tuscan Roadrunners (AHL) but has been traded from the Coyotes for Jakub Voracek and a 2023 6th Round Pick. The 29-year-old has played in 32 career NHL games across four seasons, holding a 7-15-3 record, 3.31 GAA and .893 SV%.
van Riemsdyk missed the Flyers' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup Wednesday as they take on the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old has nine goals, 14 assists, 81 SOG, and 18 PIMs through 40 games played this season.
