He's on fire.
Since Feb. 13, Daniil Tarasov has played like an ace net-minder for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Since that day exactly one month ago, the 24-year-old from Russia is 3-4-0 with a .928 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average.
Tarasov tied his career-high with 47 saves in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
The first half of the season for Tarasov wasn't all roses as he did suffer through clunkers.
Five goals against the New Jersey Devils in his season debut on Dec. 16, back-to-back four-goal games after that. He allowed 11 goals in consecutive outings against the Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken in January.
But since the 13th, he hasn't allowed more than three goals in a game, which he's done twice, and has stymied opponents to two goals or less in five outings.
| Date | Opponent | Goals Allowed | Saves |
| Mar. 12 | at Montreal* Relief Appearance | 0 | 19 |
| Mar. 9 | vs Nashville, L 2-1 | 2 | 47 |
| Mar. 7 | vs Edmonton, W 4-2 | 2 | 29 |
| Mar. 4 | vs Vegas, W 6-3 | 3 | 36 |
| Feb. 29 | vs Carolina, L 4-2 | 3 | 29 |
| Feb. 23 | vs Buffalo, L 2-1 | 2 | 35 |
| Feb. 21 | at Anaheim* Relief Appearance, W 7-4 | 2 | 27 |
| Feb. 13 | at Ottawa, L 6-3 | 5 | 24 |
| Jan. 28 | at Seattle, L 4-2 | 3 | 22 |
| Jan. 25 | at Calgary, W 5-2 | 2 | 28 |
| Jan. 13 | vs Seattle, L 7-4 | 6 | 29 |
| Jan. 9 | at Winnipeg, L 5-0 | 5 | 18 |
| Jan. 6 | vs Minnesota, L 4-3 OT | 4 | 32 |
| Jan. 4 | at Philadelphia, W 3-2 SO | 2 | 39 |
| Dec. 30 | at Buffalo, L 3-2 OT | 3 | 39 |
| Dec. 23 | vs Toronto, L 4-1 | 4 | 26 |
| Dec. 19 | at Buffalo, W 9-4 | 4 | 25 |
| Dec. 16 | vs New Jersey, L 6-3 | 5 | 24 |
Tarasov didn't start Tuesday's 3-0 loss against the Montreal Canadiens, but he played the final 54:12 minutes after Elvis Merzlikins was pulled after three goals in 5:48 in the first period.
Over his last three outings, Tarasov has made 95 saves on 99 shots faced, equating to a 1.39 GAA and .960 save percentage.
How tough was it to go into Tuesday's game cold?
"I was not that cold so it was normal," Tarasov said after Tuesday's game. "You should be ready any time as anything can happen in the game."
It won't go down as a start on the stat sheet but he played nearly the length of a full game. How does he feel?
"I'm feeling really good," Tarasov said. "Health is good, now we're just getting better on the technical stuff and plays in the game."
As confident as he looks on the ice, where does Tarasov feel his game is?
"I was really confident and just trying to get the right movements and right decisions," Tarasov said.
We talked about the Blue Jackets winning games and playing better as they play out the string over the remaining few weeks. It's an opportunity for players like Tarasov to carve out large roles in the opportunities they have.
His development was hampered last season by injuries and he had a late start to this season as he recovered from a knee injury suffered before training camp.
Now he's looking like the goalie who showed tremendous promise dating back to 2021-22 when he made his NHL debut, stopping 34 of 37 shots in Dallas.
Tarasov and the Blue Jackets will get their next opportunity when they battle the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.
