Kirill Marchenko has turned in a solid sophomore season for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On Tuesday night, the 23-year-old scored a new career high in goals with his 23rd of the season following a two-goal night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
His goal at 19:17 of the first period and 22nd of his career tied the game at 1-1. Cole Sillinger and Damon Severson picked up the assists on the play.
Marchenko sets a career-high in goals. Sillinger and Severson the assists. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Pdq1xmaGY0
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 9, 2024
Lightning struck twice for Marchenko at 7:13 of the second period when his 23rd goal of the season gave Columbus the 2-1 lead.
Johnny Gaudreau picked up his 500th career assist and Zach Werenski's 44th assist of the season tied James Wisniewski for most assists by a Blue Jackets defenseman in a season.
Milestone night.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 10, 2024
22nd and 23rd goals for Marchenko, Gaudreau picks up his 500th career assist. Werenski picks up his 44th assist and has tied James Wisniewski for most among defensemen in a season. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/2b0kqfptR5
Marchenko now leads the team in goals and is third on the team with 41 points. He's tied for fourth on the club with 18 assists with Sillinger. Marchenko leads the club with nine power-play goals and is second overall with 188 shots, first among all forwards.
Overall in his career through 134 games, Marchenko has 66 points (44 goals, 22 assists).
Marchenko has five goals (seven points) in his last six games, scoring in three straight games from Mar. 30 - Apr. 4.
Scoring twice against fellow Russain Andrei Vasilevskiy had to feel good for Marchenko.
"It gives me a lot of confidence," Marchenko said. "He's a great goalie.
"If we win the game it's more confidence for me and for our team. "It's good confidence for me but I try to shoot puck all season."
According to Natural Stat Trick, Marchenko has 0.86 goals/60 and 2.02 GA/60. How does Marchenko feel about his overall game right now?
"Sometimes defensive play helps me for offensive moments," Marchenko said. "I don't say I play great because when Stamkos scores (three) goals, it's my bad, my mistake. I say small details and I can do better on the offensive and defensive."
Marchenko and the Blue Jackets have three games remaining, starting with the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Apr. 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
