Tarasov (illness) made 39 saves, and three in the shootout, in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

The Blue Jackets had no business winning other than Tarasov's play in net - he was flat out brilliant. The netminder allowed 13 goals in his first three games this season, but he's stopped 78-of-83 shots in his last two games. Tarasov is big and athletic, and he has the kind of skill that you see in strong netminders. Short-term, consider him in matchups, but nothing more. The Blue Jackets need to improve their overall team play before Tarasov will ever be able to grow into that potential.

Tarasov (illness) will be between the road pipes versus Philadelphia on Thursday, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov turned in a strong performance in his last game, giving up three goals on 42 shots in an overtime loss in Buffalo on Saturday. Tarasov is 1-2-1 with a 4.02 GAA and an .877 save percentage, as he struggled in his first three games of the season. The Flyers have just returned from a five-game road trip that took them through Western Canada and Seattle and could be a tired team Thursday.

Tarasov (illness) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against Boston, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov is day-to-day after missing Monday's practice because of an illness. Spencer Martin will be backed up by Elvis Merzlikins in Tuesday's contest against Boston.

Tarasov (illness) won't take part in practice Monday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site .

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov has stopped 114 of 130 shots in four starts this season. If he isn't available for Tuesday's contest against Boston, Elvis Merzlikins (illness) and Spencer Martin will serve as the goalie duo. Merzlikins was back at practice Monday, per Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch, after missing Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to Buffalo.

Tarasov turned aside 39 shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

The Blue Jackets were out-shot 42-20 and only came away with a point in the standings thanks to Tarasov, who made his most saves in a game since a 5-3 win over the Panthers in November 2022 during which he faced 50 shots. The 24-year-old netminder has started four of the last seven games, going 1-2-1 with a shaky 4.02 GAA and .877 save percentage, but Columbus appears intent on giving him steady work in a de facto timeshare with Elvis Merzlikins (illness).

Tarasov will patrol the visiting crease in Buffalo on Saturday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov is 1-2-0 in 2023-24, giving up 13 goals on only 88 shots. He didn't make his season debut for the Blue Jackets until Dec. 16 versus New Jersey because of a knee injury. The Sabres are averaging 30.1 shots on goal per contest this campaign, which ranks 21st in the league.

Tarasov made 26 saves in a 4-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Poor guy. Auston Matthews scored twice. He's the league's leader in snipes. And Leafs powerhouses William Nylander and John Tavares also scored. The former is fourth in the NHL in scoring; the latter is firing away at a point-per-game pace. Tarasov didn't stand a chance against firepower like that, and it didn't help that he had almost no offensive help from his teammates. But even with support, Tarasov isn't ready for fantasy faith yet. He is 1-2-0 in three starts with a 4.39 GAA and .852 save percentage. You can't stay in the NHL with data points like that.

Tarasov will patrol the home crease Saturday against Toronto, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov is coming off a 25-save effort in Tuesday's 9-4 win over Buffalo. He has stopped 49 of 58 shots this campaign en route to a 1-1-0 record. The Maple Leafs rank fourth in the league this season with 3.57 goals per game.

Tarasov turned aside 25 shots in Tuesday's 9-4 rout of the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Buffalo scored the first goal just 30 seconds into the contest, but Columbus then struck seven straight times over the next period and a half to build a lead even its porous defense couldn't squander. When they did get scoring chances though, the Sabres were consistently beating Tarasov to his blocker side, a leak the young netminder will need to address. The win was his first of the season, but an .828 save percentage in his first two starts doesn't create a lot of optimism that he'll be a useful fantasy asset, no matter what kind of offensive support Tarasov gets.

Tarasov will defend the road net Tuesday against the Sabres, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasov will make a second straight start after he stopped 24 of 29 shots in a 6-3 loss to New Jersey on Saturday during his season debut. Columbus is attempting to get him back up to speed following his recovery from a knee injury. The Sabres sit 26th in the league this campaign with 2.81 goals per game.