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.
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).
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%.
Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).
Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).
Gaudreau missed the Blue Jackets' previous two games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return to Columbus' lineup Thursday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has 15 goals, 52 points, 144 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 55 games played prior to the injury.
