The Columbus Blue Jackets secured a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings, thanks to Kirill Marchenko's game-winning goal at 3:45 of the extra frame. Marchenko skated down the left wing, cut inside, and beat Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper for a highlight-reel finish. This came shortly after Zach Werenski's penalty shot was denied by Kuemper following a slashing call on Trevor Moore.
Marchenko's dazzling goal drew comparisons to hockey legend Bobby Orr from Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins. "That goal looked like Bobby Orr — a Russian Bobby Orr," Merzlikins said. The young forward also made history by becoming the first player in franchise history to start his career with three consecutive 20-goal seasons.
The game saw its fair share of drama, with Quinton Byfield tying the game at 2-2 for the Kings with just over a minute left in regulation while Kuemper was pulled for an extra attacker. Despite the late equalizer, the Blue Jackets remained composed, and Marchenko sealed the victory in overtime.
Columbus showed resilience throughout the game, with goals from Werenski and Dante Fabbro, who ended a 24-game goal drought. Werenski extended his remarkable home point streak to 19 games, tying an NHL record for defensemen. Meanwhile, Merzlikins made 31 saves, delivering another strong performance in net. "We trust each other and know we can win these games," Marchenko said of the team’s mindset.
The win marked Columbus' fifth consecutive victory at home, reinforcing their playoff ambitions. "Our focus is singular: making the playoffs," said Fabbro.
For the Kings, Phillip Danault and Byfield found the back of the net, while Kevin Fiala contributed two assists. Despite a solid 21-save effort from Kuemper and a strong 6-on-5 attack to force overtime, Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller expressed disappointment. "We deserved to win this game but fell just short," he said.
The game also featured a controversial moment when Alex Laferriere’s apparent goal was disallowed after a successful offside challenge by the Blue Jackets. Although the Kings generated plenty of scoring chances, they struggled to capitalize, a theme that Hiller lamented postgame.
In addition to the win, Columbus announced that center Sean Monahan will miss an additional six to eight weeks due to a wrist injury, a setback for the team as they gear up for the playoff push. Despite the loss, Kings forward Quinton Byfield highlighted positives, noting, "We played our way back into the game, and there’s a lot to build on from this."
As the Blue Jackets look to extend their strong home form, Marchenko's heroics and the team’s collective effort underline their determination to stay competitive in the playoff race.
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