The 'Russian Line' is Firing On All Cylinders For Blue Jackets

And then there are the glimpses of flash, brilliance, and skill that excite you and keep you wanting more.

The "Russian line" might just be checking those boxes.

Since head coach Pascal Vincent put Yegor Chinakhov, Dmitri Voronkov, and Kirill Marchenko on a line over a week ago against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 1, the chemistry appears to be off the charts.

#CBJ forward Kirill Marchenko has been using the word "synergy" all year to describe how he meshes with teammates.

Last night, when asked about the "chemistry" with his Russian linemates, he realized that's the word he's been looking for.

How? "I play FIFA."

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 9, 2023

In those six games since, the three have combined for four goals and one against at 5v5. The three have combined for eight goals in all situations this season, including a power-play goal in Friday's 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Chinakhov scored a goal in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Russian line combined on a tic-tac-toe scoring sequence in Friday's win. The power-play goal made it 3-1 in the third period, and it was the first of two third-period goals for Chinakhov, who set a career-high with three points.

Tic-tac-toe with Chinakhov, Marchenko, and Voronkov. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Fy1c7xZHgr

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 9, 2023

The trio started the scoring in the game on Marchenko's first-period goal.

Score early. Score often.

Blue Jackets strike first!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/KIt9uSUwET

— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 9, 2023

With that goal by Marchenko, he became the fastest Blue Jacket to 30 career goals (86 games to match the number on his sweater), passing Rick Nash (96 games).

Since Nov. 22, Marchenko has eight points (five goals, three assists). He's third on the Blue Jackets with 17 points and second with nine goals.

Chinakhov has seven points (five goals, two assists) over his last eight games.

Voronkov has six points (three goals, three assists) over his previous eight games. He's tied for fifth on the team with 15 points, tied for fourth with Chinakhov with six goals, and fourth with nine assists, just two behind Johnny Gaudreau.

Voronkov is fifth among NHL rookies in points, tied for seventh in assists, and tied for fifth in goals.

"Voronkov's line is so reliable defensively," Vincent said after Friday's win over the Blues. They have the skills...they just see each other on the ice. Pretty impressive.

"But they study the game together. They watch films together. They talk on the bench consistently. They're students of the game, and there's this passion to play the right way. The skill level of these three...they could be a good line for us for a long time."

In Sunday's loss to the Florida Panthers, Chinakhov and Marchenko connected on another goal. Erik Gudbranson also had an assist on the play.

Chinakhov from Marchenko and Gudbranson. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/KZM0qhtF4o

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 10, 2023

Blue Jackets radio broadcaster Dylan Tyrer talked with assistant coach Mark Recchi about Chinakhov.

"(Chinakhov's) been a work in progress," Recchi said. "He's got all the tools and he's starting to put it together, which is awesome, which is fun to see. Him growing as a player and understanding that you gotta engage physically. You gotta get in battles, you gotta win battles. You just can't rely on skill, and he's figuring it out."

Extending the Russian line to include fellow countryman Ivan Provorov, the four players made NHL history when each scored a goal in the 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Nov. 27.

In what could be considered a short sample but a sample of success so far, it's a line paying dividends for Vincent and the Blue Jackets.