The Columbus Blue Jackets put on their best offensive performance of this regular season, dominating the Buffalo Sabres by the final score of 9-4.
Period I
Buffalo opened the scoring on home ice 30 seconds into the game with his eighth goal of the season - Rasmus Dahlin. The assists went to Casey Mittlestadt and Dylan Cozens.
The Blue Jackets roared into the game with seven goals in a row.
Johnny Gaudreau opened the floodgates with his sixth of the season with Adam Fantilli getting the lone assist.
Fantilli added to the lead with his ninth of his career with Gaudreau and Ivan Provorov getting the helpers.
Kirill Marchenko began his history making night on the powerplay with 12 seconds remaining in the first period for his 11th of the season. Gaudreau got his third point of the period with the primary assist; the secondary went to Zach Werenski.
Period II
Marchenko continued with his second of the night for his 12th of the season. Yegor Chinakov and Andrew Peeke got the helpers.
18 seconds between goals, Marchenko records the natural hat-trick for his 13th of the head from Chinny and Provy.
Erik Gubdranson got his first goal back from his suspension for his third of the season. Alexandre Texier and Sean Kuraly had the assists.
Kuraly finalized the streak for the visitors with his sixth goal of the season. Texier had the primary assist. Monsters’ captain Brendan Gaunce was a late minute add to the lineup and got his first assist of the season.
Kyle Okposo got his team back on the board. The Sabres’ captain recorded his sixth of the season with the assists belonging to Mittlestadt and Victor Olofsson.
Period III
Tage Thompson brought the Sabres to within four on an early powerplay goal for number eight of his shortened season. Dahlin and Alex Tuch had the assists.
The final Buffalo goal was recorded by Dylan Cozens for his sixth of the year. Rookies Zach Benson and JJ Peterka had the final home points.
Cole Sillinger replied 40 seconds later for his second goal of the season. Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson had the assists.
Johnson had the final goal of the game shortly after the second half of the third period for his fourth of the campaign. Linemates Sillinger and Emil Bemstrom had the final assist for Columbus.
Players to Watch
Rasmus Dahlin was an offensive factor for his squad, putting up a goal and assist. The former number one overall draft pick played 24 minutes of the 60. He was just a -1 despite the nine goals.
Kent Johnson was my Columbus player to watch. Against Toronto the other night, he came up with a multi-point game, and he did the same here in Buffalo with a goal and assist. Since he recalled, he has had 8 points in 9 games.
Goaltenders
Rough night to be a goaltender for this one. All three goalies under the age of 25 that played.
Devon Levi allowed 4 goals on 18 shots for a 0.778 save percentage.
Ukko-Pekka Lukkonnen allowed 5 goals on 16 shots for a 0.688 save percentage.
Daniil Tarasov allowed 4 goals on 29 shots for a 0.862 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Kirill Marchenko — 3 goals (13), natural hat-trick
2. Johnny Gaudreau — goal (6), 2 assists (14)
3. Kent Johnson — goal (4), assist (7)
Next game — at home against Washington in a Russian battle. The Caps will be on a back to back.