Blue Jackets edge Kings on Kirill Marchenko's OT goal

Field Level Media|published: Sat 25th January, 22:12 2025

Jan 25, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) exchange words during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Kirill Marchenko scored with 1:15 remaining in overtime and the Columbus Blue Jackets won a season-high fifth straight home game with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

Streaking with the puck down the right wing, Marchenko moved to the net, passed the puck to himself while skating around the Kings' Kevin Fiala, then slid it past Darcy Kuemper (21 saves) for the win.

Zach Werenski, who was stymied by Kuemper on a penalty shot in overtime, scored in the first period to extend his home points streak to 19 games, Dante Fabbro also had a goal, and Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have won nine of their last 10 at home.

Trailing 2-1, Los Angeles pulled Kuemper with a little more than 3 minutes left in regulation. The Kings then put some relentless pressure on Merzlikins, and kept the puck in the offensive zone for roughly two minutes when Quinton Byfield scored amid a net-front scrum to tie it with 1:05 left.

Phillip Danault also scored for the Kings, who are 2-4-1 since winning five in a row. They have also lost five of seven on the road.

Moments after Fiala's quality chance for the Kings, Fabbro flicked a wrister toward the net and eventually by a screened Kuemper just 2:51 into the third for a 2-1 Columbus lead. Minutes later, it appeared the Kings tied the contest through Alex Laferriere, but his goal was overturned for offside after a successful video challenge by the Blue Jackets.

Columbus was outshot 12-5 in the first period, but Werenski extended his home point streak 9:24 into the game to open the scoring. On the rush, Werenski jumped into the offensive zone, took a pass from teammate Luca Del Bel Belluz and beat Kuemper.

Los Angeles equalized with 7:05 remaining before the first intermission. After winning the faceoff, Danault scooted to the net, got Kevin Fiala's rebound, then collected his own missed shot and snuck it past Merzlikins.

Despite the loss, the Kings have at least one point in five straight games at Columbus.

--Field Level Media

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