Columbus Blue Jackets News

Tarasov will start in Detroit on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for the first time in nearly a month. Tarasov last appeared in the Blue Jackets' crease on January 31st when he saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.69 GAA and .876 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-2). The Blue Jackets have won two straight and enter Thursday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team with points in 11 of their last 12 games (9-1-2).

Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for the first time in nearly a month. Tarasov last appeared in the Blue Jackets' crease on January 31st when he saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.69 GAA and .876 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-2). The Blue Jackets have won two straight and enter Thursday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team with points in 11 of their last 12 games (9-1-2).

Daniil Tarasov
Merzlikins will start vs. Dallas on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent contest, a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks when Merzlikins saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 30-year-old Merzlikins returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, looking to improve his 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% through 38 games this season (20-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Stars squad with points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1).

Elvis Merzlikins
Marchenko (jaw) has been activated from IR.

Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice this week and activation from IR is welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Kirill Marchenko
Jenner (shoulder) has been activated from IR.

Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice this week. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.

Boone Jenner
LaBate has a high possibility of making his season debut on Saturday vs. Chicago.

LaBate was the 101st overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He played 13 games with the Canucks, scoring zero points, in the 2016-17 season, but has exclusively been an AHL player since. The 31-year-old LaBate has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 33 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season.

Joe Labate
Fabbro (upper-body) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is expected to return on Saturday vs. Chicago.

Fabbro did not play the previous three games for the Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 96 blocks, and 44 hits in 37 games this season.

Dante Fabbro
Labanc (upper-body) missed practice on Wednesday and is considered out indefinitely.

Labanc has been in and out of the lineup for the Blue Jackets the past several weeks and will be sidelined indefinitely due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 34 games this season but has only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 21 games.

Kevin Labanc
Jenner (shoulder) returned to Columbus' practice as a full participant on Wednesday.

Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.

Boone Jenner
Marchenko (upper-body) returned to practice on Wednesday.

Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice on Wednesday was welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Kirill Marchenko