As Blue Jackets lean hard on Elvis Merzlikins, backup Daniil Tarasov watches, waits

COLUMBUS, Ohio For the last five games, the Columbus Blue Jackets have played with an unconventional lineup, dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Coach Dean Evason acknowledged after practice Friday that he and the rest of the coaching staff are considering a return to the more typical 12-6 alignment.

Advertisement But theres one lineup decision thats more confounding and shows no signs of change.

Evason said that Elvis Merzlikins will start in goal for the Blue Jackets on Saturday when they host the St.

Louis Blues in Nationwide Arena, which means that backup Daniil Tarasov will be in his familiar seat at the end of the Columbus bench.

Were going to stay with exactly what weve been doing, and thats (going) game by game, Evason said earlier this week.

If we feel like any player gives us a chance to win, then hes going to go in.

Merzlikins is in the top half of the leagues goaltenders with 25 starts, putting him on pace to blow past last years figure (40 starts) and challenge his career mark (59 starts) in 2021-22.

Thats quite a workload for a goaltender with an .888 save percentage, which is among the worst in the NHL .

As for Tarasov ...

hes watched more Blue Jackets games than most fans.

Tarasovs last start was last Saturday, a 4-0 loss in Boston.

The Blue Jackets dont have a back-to-back on their schedule until Jan.

22 (at Toronto) and Jan.

23 (at Carolina), which means Tarasov if nothing changes could once again be waiting three weeks between starts.

Beginning in mid-October, Tarasov made four consecutive starts, and it looked like he was challenging Merzlikins for the No.

1 job.

But since then, hes gone the following number of days between starts: six, eight, six, 19, 23 and, currently, at least 10 heading toward Tuesdays game in Pittsburgh.

Before his start in Boston one week ago, he hadnt played since Dec.

5.

It was awesome to be back feeling the game, feeling the shots in a game, the speed of the game and just the atmosphere, Tarasov told The Athletic .

It was great to have a chance to help the guys get a win, but unfortunately it didnt happen.

Its kinda tough when youre not playing and you cant really help the guys and youre not feeling like youre part of the success.

Daniil Tarasov said pic.twitter.com/zTZcDsOkg3 FanDuel Sports Network Columbus (@FanDuelSN_CBUS) October 27, 2024 This has become an awkward situation.

At some point last month, the Blue Jackets gave Tarasov, 25, an opportunity to go to minor-league Cleveland on a conditioning assignment those are typically used for players coming back from injury, but they can be used after a period of inactivity, too but he declined.

Advertisement Its within Tarasovs rights to refuse, per his contract and the NHLs collective bargaining agreement, but it likely didnt sit well with some inside the organization.

Given Tarasovs refusal, the only way the Blue Jackets could have sent him to the minor leagues would have been to first expose him to waivers, and general manager Don Waddell has said thats not an option given Tarasovs talent and previous success in Columbus.

Tarasov told The Athletic that he declined the conditioning assignment because I felt like it would be better for me to play in the NHL than to play a couple of games in the AHL, honestly.

I was really focused on playing well here (with Columbus).

His agent, J.P.

Barry, told The Athletic that Tarasovs injury history in the AHL made him reluctant to accept an assignment, which can last as long as two weeks.

His last few injuries were in (AHL) games and he felt like it was a risk/reward situation he didnt want to take, Barry said.

Hes been working hard with goaltending coaches, but he needs games.

Evason declined to say what he felt about Tarasovs decision, but the Blue Jackets recalled Jet Greaves from AHL Cleveland twice last month to give Merzlikins a rest.

Greaves, whos having a strong season in Cleveland, started four games between Dec.

12 and 23.

I did have in my mind that (Greaves being recalled to start) might happen, Tarasov said.

Hes a good goalie and he was playing pretty well (in Cleveland).

He got the chance because I didnt play well.

(Greaves) earned this chance, so I cant say it was really surprising.

I just kept focusing on my game and getting back on track.

Tarasov went 3-1-1 in his first five starts.

Hes now lost five straight.

His save percentage (.857) and goals-against average (4.23) are last in the league among the 58 goaltenders who have started 10 or more games.

55 gets the first pic.twitter.com/sA6b3F4qUC Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 29, 2024 This is how a chicken-or-egg conundrum gets started.

Is Tarasov struggling because hes not playing regularly enough? Or is he not playing regularly because hes struggling? A better question: How much longer can this goaltending rotation (stagnation?) be maintained? Its part of the game, Tarasov said.

It can happen in your career.

I just need to focus on the team and focus on my game in practice and be ready.

Advertisement Waddell was hired as GM in May.

Evason came aboard in late July.

They dont have vivid memories of Tarasovs run of play last season when he took over the No.

1 job from Merzlikins.

In a 12-game span from Feb.

21 to April 1, Tarasov went 5-5-1 with a .935 save percentage and 2.40 goals-against average.

We had a good discussion today, Evason said after Fridays practice.

We didnt pinpoint anything (as far as Tarasovs next scheduled start).

I worry about all the players.

You worry about guys who are sitting out, if its too long.

Hockey players want to play hockey, regardless if its a goalie, a defenseman or forward.

Were mindful of it, but we have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team.

(Photo of Elvis Merzlikins, left, and Daniil Tarasov: James Carey Lauder / Imagn Images).

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