Hoping you love the title change as much as I do. The March is on for this new calendar year, and he is the headline. Today, I am taking the liberty to combine multiple news and noteworthy items together in a collaboration effort to commence what I've originally shared as my Mood Mondays.
Kirill Marchenko is a 22-year old Russian right winger in the beginning of his rookie NHL career. Marchenko is a second round draft pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, being selected 49th overall.
The power forward had 64 points in 114 games regular season games in the KHL; along with 9 points in 18 playoff games. All playoff games were with SKA St. Petersburg; and all but 2 regular season games were the same.
After failing to make the Blue Jackets out of training camp, he went on a tear with the Cleveland Monsters. As a rookie, he had 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 16 games in the AHL.
Marchenko was recalled by the Blue Jackets on December 6th. In 16 career NHL games, to present day of the written blog, the young gun has 8 goals, zero assists.
In the most recent home game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Marchenko recorded his first career NHL hattrick. He is one of 6 Blue Jackets to record a three goal performance as a rookie on the roster.
In chronological order, the list includes:
Russian winger Nikita Filatov Retired winger Matt Calvert Philadelphia Flyers' winger Cam Atkinson Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois Sophomore center Cole Sillinger
Since Marchenko score the three goals consecutively for the team, it is being considered as the Bkue Jackets' seventh ever natural hattrick.
To top off the evening, Marchenko scored a fourth goal in the shootout against the Hurricanes.
Marchenko also leads rookie goal scoring since his recall to the roster on Dec. 6th.
He has the potential to be a staple top six winger on the roster, and in any roster.
Marchenko should've made the opening roster, would also have been more compelling at the start with the questionable storyline and future of Liam Foudy at the helm.
Marchenko and Foudy were both in the same draft, along with defender Tim Breni and Trey Fix-Wolansky. This draft is starting to show as one of Kekalainen's most successful drafts, with 4 picks actively playing meaningful NHL games and minutes.
WJC 2022 Results
Major congratulations to Team Czechia and the prospects of the Columbus Blue Jackets who earned a silver medal.
Despite the overtime loss to the gold winning Canadians, the top two defenders of David Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil highlighted the Czech depth.
David Jiricek had produced 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 7 games. Jiricek was a +10 rating with one minor penalty. He was playing top pair and unit minutes against the best players the best countries had to offer.
The 2022 1st round pick was named the AHL rookie defenseman of the month.
Stanislav Svozil had one goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 7 games for his country. Svozil was the captain of Team Czechs, and was a +3 with no penalties in the preliminary games. He was also a key matchup against his Regina Pats' teammate Connor Bedard.
His leadership, treatment of the media, and skill set on the ice are all A-level assets for the 19-year old. Despite being on the ice for the losing golden goal, he turned many heads the right way for himself and his countrymen.
Martin Rysavy had one goal and two assists for 3 points in 7 games. The lone forward of the trio completed the third line for his countrymen.
My Top 10 Prospects (2023 Draft)
All are forwards, might be a first I’ve recalled all 10 being one main grouping.
1. Conor Bedard (WHL) 2. Matvei Michkov (KHL) 3. Adam Fantilli (NCAA) 4. Leo Carlsson (SHL) 5. Will Smith (USDP) 6. Dalibor Dvorsky (SHL) 7. Zach Benson (WHL) 8. Brayden Yager (WHL) 9. Calum Ritchie (OHL) 10. Eduard Sale (CZE)
CBJ P38 -- MarchenKING
What a shootout thriller, what action, what a game! In a thrilling Saturday afternoon matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets comeback and push through the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3 in the deep shootout thriller.
Kirill Marchenko opened the scoring midway through the second period off a wraparound powerplay goal for his 6th of his career. Kent Johnson and Marcus Bjork had the assists on the first goal of the day.
A minute and a half later, Marchenko powered a slap shot on another powerplay for his second of the game and 7th of the year. Johnson and Emil Bemstrom had the helpers.
Max Pacioretty recorded his first goal as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes to begin their comeback. Patches' goal was assisted by Seth Jarvis and Brady Skjei.
Skeji evened the game with his 8th of the season; Paul Stastny had the lone helper on the game tying power play goal.
Pacioretty got his 2nd of the night and season with the Canes' second power play goal. The final Carolina regulation goal was assisted by all star Andre Svechinkov and forward Sebastian Aho.
Kirill Marchenko evened the game with a hattrick for his first of his career and 8th career goal. Cole Sillinger had the lone assist for the final regulation goal.
After a mostly 4-v-4 overtime, the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes engaged in a 5-round shootout.
Marchenko scored in round one.
Patrik Laine scored in round two.
Andrei Svechinkov scored in round two.
Teuvo Teravainen scored in round three.
Kent Johnson scored in round five.
Antti Raanta had 15 saves on 18 shots through the 65 minutes of gameplay, for a 0.833 save percentage.
Joonas Korpisalo had 39 saves on 42 shots through the extra time for a 0.929 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Kirill Marchenko -- 1st career Hat-Trick (8)
2. Kent Johnson -- 2 assists (10), Shootout Winner
3. Joonas Korpisalo -- SOW; 39 saves; 92.9 SV%
CBJ P39 -- Just One The Columbus Blue Jackets suffer a 1-0 shutout loss to the Washington Capitals.
Erik Gustafsson scored the only goal of the game, counting for his 7th of the season. Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway had the assists.
Nicklas Backstrom was my player to watch for the Washington Capitals, as he had his first NHL regular season game for the 2022-2023 year. Backstrom was pointless in his first game, with a shot on goal; minor penalty; blocked shot; and giveaway; three hits; and a 71% winning percentage in the faceoff dot with 14:03TOI.
Tom Wilson also had his regular season debut, and in typical Wilson fashion, he had caused roughhouse and injured Vladislav Gavrikov. Gavin Bayreuther and Garnet Hathaway exchanged fists in a different exchange. Mathieu Oliver tried gettting Wilson to also drop the gloves, with no success.
Darcy Kuemper was the starting goaltender for the Capitals, stopping all 38 shots on the evening.
Liam Foudy was my Columbus player to watch, being pointless with 3 shots on goal; and a hit in 14:49TOI.
Elvis Merzlikins allowed one goal on 19 shots faced for a 0.947 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Elvis Merzlikins -- 18 saves
2. Gavin Bayreuther -- 7PIM, fight, 2 hits,
3. Andrew Peeke -- 2 shots, hits, blocks, 25:23TOI
Noteworthy
Although it never worked out between player and organization, congratulations to Columbus Blue Jackets legend Zac Rinaldo for joining the OJHL in the coaching department. He will be an assistant coach for the Milton Menace.
Also saw after an alleged drunken Twitter spat, Columbus real legend Jakub Voracek apologized for his commentary over the weekend and during the Gold Medal game. Jakey, stay classy!
No need to apologize for having an opinion and providing yourself relief to speak, even if there was chirps. Young legend in the Hockey Twitter Hall of Fame!
Congratulations to Johnny Gaudreau to being named to the NHL All Star Team!
Upcoming
This week, we get our final matchups of the season from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings. Columbus has a chance to win the season series from Carolina in their best of three, but the other two have already been lost.
Thoughts on the week ahead?
More to come…
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