Kirill Marchenko scored with 2:12 left in regulation, propelling the Columbus Blue Jackets to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night at Nationwide Arena. This win marked the Blue Jackets’ second consecutive triumph on home ice, bouncing back after squandering two separate two-goal leads.
Dmitri Vorokov was instrumental in the Blue Jackets’ success, finding the back of the net twice to extend his impressive point streak to five games. Kent Johnson also made his presence felt with a goal, while Jordan Harris notched his first goal in a Columbus jersey. The offensive charge was further fueled by Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan, each tallying three assists, showcasing their playmaking abilities. Marchenko’s heroics were not limited to his crucial goal; he also contributed two assists to the team’s winning effort.
In the crease, Jet Greaves stood tall for the Blue Jackets, turning away 27 shots on goal and playing a pivotal role in ending Columbus’ seven-game losing skid against Montreal dating back to November 23, 2022.
On the Canadiens’ side, David Savard and Jake Evans displayed their offensive prowess, each registering a goal and an assist in a valiant effort. Lane Hutson continued his impressive point streak to six games with a goal, while Joel Armia and Cole Caufield contributed to the scoresheet with a goal and two assists, respectively. Sam Montembeault made 27 saves in a commendable performance between the pipes for Montreal, who came into the game riding a three-game winning streak.
During the contest, Montreal showcased resilience by mounting a comeback after trailing through the first two periods. However, their inability to seal the deal once again proved costly, as they fell short against a determined Blue Jackets squad. The Canadiens’ struggles when trailing after the first period were evident, as they dropped to a concerning 0-11-1 record when attempting to rally from an early deficit.
Conversely, the Blue Jackets exhibited unwavering intensity throughout the game, captivating the home crowd with their spirited play. Despite relinquishing a two-goal advantage for the second consecutive outing, Columbus electrified the arena with a pair of third-period goals and a late-game winner courtesy of Greaves, showcasing their resilience and determination to secure the win.
A pivotal moment in the game came early in the third period when Voronkov capitalized on a power-play opportunity just 14 seconds in, leveling the score after Armia had given Montreal the lead only 20 seconds into the final frame. Marchenko’s timely goal, completing his three-point night, proved to be the difference-maker in ensuring victory for the Blue Jackets.
Marchenko’s performance extended his point streak to six games, solidifying his status as a key offensive contributor for Columbus. Furthermore, Werenski etched his name in the franchise record books by notching points in 11 consecutive home.
