Jackets’ Tarasov continues to impress in net
After leading the Blue Jackets to an unlikely win over the Florida Panthers Nov. 20, with 47 saves on 50 shots, Daniil Tarasov faced less work in Monday' 3-2 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights but was no less impressive.
Tarasov stopped 34 of the 36 shots he saw, including 27 consecutive saves from the second period to the end of overtime.
In the shootout, the first shootout of Tarasov's NHL career, he allowed just two goals among the seven shooters.
"I think every time he gets in the net, he starts to believe more and more that he belongs," said Jackets coach Brad Larsen. "He's a big guy. He's very calm. Very in control of his game. He made some huge saves. Had a little puck luck with some posts, which is nice. He was solid for us."
Tarasov stopped Vegas forward Jack Eichel on a short-handed breakaway in the third period and was rewarded for his effort with a bit of help from his right post
when Eichel looked to score the gamewinning goal in overtime. Eichel also failed to score on his shootout attempt;
Tarasov was not officially credited with a save but no doubt influenced Eichel on the play, as he tried to tuck the puck over
Tarasov's shoulder into the top corner of the net.
"We have full belief in all our goalies in here," forward Gustav Nyquist said. "Tarry's been great when he's had a chance . ... Another great game by him. In the shootout, he's good again. It goes, I don't know, seven or eight rounds, and unfortunately we can't get another one there." bjohnson@dispatch.com @Baileyajohnson_