Goaltender Tarasov finding his stride with Blue Jackets
Daniil Tarasov's play in the first period of a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators Saturday was remarkable but not exactly a surprise. The netminder has a .935 save percentage over his last six appearances (3-3-0) for the Blue Jackets.
“With our start, if it wasn't for ‘Tarry,' it could've been a lot worse,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said. “We ... weren't good in front of him for the first 15 minutes of that game. He kept us in it and kept us in it the whole night.”
Tarasov had a different perspective, believing a first-period tally by Kiefer Sherwood and a later third-period goal by Luke Evangelista were stoppable.
“Both of these goals, it was kind of, like, easy,” he said. “It's all on me. They were pretty clear shots. It was pretty close to me, like middle range, and I should get better on that.”
What isn't debatable is that Tarasov is playing much better now than he was early in the season, when the 24-yearold was still recovering from a knee injury. He saved 47 of the 49 shots he saw Saturday night and has stopped 203 of the most recent 217 shots he has faced.
“For Daniil, we know he has great potential,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. “Now, he's showing it more consistently.”
Heading into Tuesday's road matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, Tarasov has started three of the last four Blue Jackets' games.
“I'm just trying to play and enjoy the game, and I'm trying to make saves,” he said. “When I've got this kind of workload ... it just keeps your focus in the game.”
Danforth concussed
Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth, who missed Saturday's game with what was thought to be illness, has a concussion, said coach Pascal Vincent.
Danforth collided with Edmonton Oilers winger Corey Perry on Thursday, a game Columbus won 4-2.
Powell native Carson Meyer, 26, is expected to take Danforth's spot in the lineup. He was called up by the Blue Jackets from the AHL'S Cleveland Monsters Friday and will be making his first NHL appearance of the season.
Reporter Bill Rabinowitz contributed to this story.