Late in the third period, Kirill Marchenko scored his second goal of the game, tying it up for the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Carolina Hurricanes. The game went into a shootout where Sean Monahan scored the only goal, securing a 5-4 victory for the Blue Jackets. This win marked their third consecutive victory, a feat they hadn’t achieved since March 2022.
In addition to Marchenko’s standout performance, Dmitri Voronkov and Dante Fabbro also found the back of the net for Columbus. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 32 saves, including three crucial stops in the shootout, contributing to the team’s success.
On the Hurricanes’ side, Sebastian Aho, Jack Roslovic, Jalen Chatfield, and Jackson Blake all scored goals. Despite their efforts, Carolina was unable to secure the win and dropped behind New Jersey in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Carolina missed an opportunity to defeat a division rival and suffered their third loss in four games on the road trip. They still maintain the highest point percentage in the Eastern Conference, showcasing their overall strong performance this season.
The Blue Jackets had multiple leads throughout the game and even had a four-minute power play in the third period but struggled to close out the Hurricanes. However, Marchenko’s late goal in regulation forced the game into overtime, where Columbus ultimately emerged victorious.
Martin Necas of the Hurricanes had a notable performance with two assists, bringing his season total to 22 and tying him for third in the league. He leads Carolina in points and ranks third in the NHL overall with 33 points.
Looking ahead, the Hurricanes will face Dallas at home to kick off a three-game homestand, while the Blue Jackets are set to host Montreal in their upcoming game. The win against the Hurricanes has undoubtedly boosted the Blue Jackets’ confidence as they aim to continue their winning streak and climb the division standings.
