After starting four straight, Tarasov served as the backup to Elvis Merzlikins in the last three contests but will return to the crease on Thursday night in Calgary. Tarasov has lost his last three games (0-2-1), allowing four or more goals in each, posting an abysmal .840 SV%. The Blue Jackets have been outscored 8-2 in their last two games (0-2-0) and are +168 road underdogs against the Flames.
Werenski has been out of the lineup since December 27th, missing 10 straight games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games before his injury. Expect Werenski to regain his position as the quarterback on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit. David Jiricek was reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL in a corresponding move.
Werenski has been out of the lineup since December 27th, missing 10 straight games, but is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games before his injury. Expect Werenski to regain his position as the quarterback on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit.
After serving as the backup for six straight games, Merzlikins will start for the third straight time on Tuesday evening. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, his first regulation loss since the beginning of December. Before that, Merzlikins was sporting a respectable .905 SV% in his last seven appearances (3-0-3). That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are overwhelming +298 road underdogs against a scorching Edmonton Oilers club searching for their 14th straight victory.
Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Johnathan Kovacevic to draw back into the Canadiens' lineup. Harris played the last 13 games for the Canadiens, registering three points (1G / 2A) in the process.
Hunt returns to the press box Friday as Minnesota's defensive carousel continues with Alex Goligoski drawing back into the lineup. The 21-year-old Hunt is in his first NHL season and has yet to score but has a goal, seven SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 12 games played.
After not playing for six straight games, a strong outing in the Blue Jackets last contest on Tuesday has prompted them to turn to Merzlikins again on Friday. The Latvian netminder saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, his first win since December 14th. Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are +134 home underdogs against a struggling and injury-depleted New Jersey Devils squad that has lost two straight, being outscored 6-2.
Jenner has not played since December 8th, missing the last 15 games, but is slated to make his return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Before his injury, Jenner was one of a few bright spots in a miserable season for the Blue Jackets, scoring 18 points (13G / 5A), firing 80 shots on goals, and registering 44 hits in 29 games.
Tarasov will start for the fourth straight game on Saturday in the Blue Jackets' return to the ice in their first game since Tuesday. Tarasov has been underwhelming for the Blue Jackets this season, allowing four or more goals in five of his seven appearances (2-3-2), posting an ugly .883 SV%. The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will be hard-pressed to get back into the win column against a Seattle Kraken squad riding an eight-game winning streak.
Hunt will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Alex Goligoski to draw back into the lineup. Hunt played 16:41 time-on-ice on Monday, his first game in nearly three weeks, and recorded a -1 plus/minus along with one shot and two hits.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
Alex Goligoski will be a healthy scratch for Minnesota on Monday, allowing Hunt to play his first game since December 21st. In nine games this season, Hunt has one point (0G / 1A) and 15 blocks while averaging 10:07 time-on-ice.
Christiansen was recalled last week and played his first three games for the Blue Jackets this season, recording one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 15:56 time-on-ice. He has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters, where he has 22 points (5G / 17A) in 28 games.
