Kirill Marchenko recorded a natural hat trick as the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets scored seven consecutive goals en route to a 9-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
Marchenko needed just 8 minutes, 7 seconds spanning the first and second periods to notch his second career hat trick. He also scored three goals in the Blue Jackets’ 4-3 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 7 of last season.
Columbus’ Johnny Gaudreau collected a goal and two assists to notch his first three-point performance of the season.
Rookie Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Sean Kuraly and Cole Sillinger each scored and set up a goal. Erik Gudbranson also tallied as the Blue Jackets fell one goal shy of their franchise-best total, set in a 10-0 rout of the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 4, 2016.
Daniil Tarasov made 25 saves to pocket his first win of the season for Columbus.
Rasmus Dahlin recorded a goal and an assist and captain Kyle Okposo, Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens also tallied for the Sabres, who have lost eight of their last 11 games (3-7-1). Rookie Devon Levi yielded four goals on 18 shots before being relieved by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who made 11 saves.
Buffalo’s Jack Quinn logged 14:35 of ice time in his season debut. Quinn, the eighth overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, was playing in his first game since rupturing his Achilles while training in late June.
Gaudreau converted from behind the goal line to forge a tie at 1-1 midway into the first period before Fantilli banked the puck off Levi and into the net just over four minutes later.
Marchenko gave Columbus a 3-1 lead after tucking the puck between his legs to score a power-play goal with 12 seconds remaining in the first period.
Marchenko was far from done, however, as his wrist shot from the left circle handcuffed Levi at 7:37 of the second period.
Luukkonen replaced Levi and promptly surrendered a goal just 18 seconds later. Marchenko once again scored from the left circle to pull even with injured captain Boone Jenner for the team lead in goals at 13.
Gudbranson and Kuraly each scored a goal to push Columbus’ lead to 7-1 before Okposo slowed the momentum by tallying with 1:06 remaining in the second period.
–Field Level Media
