Three Things: The Streak, Marchenko Is A Complete Player, 8-Combined 3rd Period Goals

By Will Chase on January 5, 2025 at 9:28 am
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) celebrates with right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) and center Cole Sillinger (4) after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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That's the bounce back you're looking for.

Dmitri Voronkov scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the St. Louis Blues 6-4 Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.

The Streak

What else is new?

Zach Werenski recorded a primary assist for his team-leading 32nd helper on Dmitri Voronkov's (14) first-period goal at 19:01 to give the Blue Jackets the 1-0 lead. The assist extended Werenski's home point streak to 15 games. Ivan Provorov registered his 13th assist.

The Jackets went into the third period leading the Blues 2-0. Then things got wild.

With eight combined third-period goals between the two teams, Columbus stretched its lead to 4-1 before the Blues pulled it within one goal late at 16:16.

Provorov and Monahan each had three assists for the game. It's Provorov's first career three-assist game with Columbus, tying a career high. Werenski had seven shots for the night, leading the Jackets with 160 on the season.

Here's how it all went down:

  • Mikael Pyyhtia's (4) short-handed goal gave Columbus a 3-0 lead at 3:44. Provorov (14) and Monahan each picked up their second assist.
     
  • Jordan Kyrou (17) scored on the power play to break the Elvis Merzlikins shutout. Dylan Holloway (14) and Brayden Schenn (15) assisted.
     
  • Adam Fantilli scored his eighth at 5:25 to make it 4-1. Werenski (33) and Dante Fabbro (6) recorded the assists.
     
  • Cam Fowler's (4) goal made it 4-2 at 6:55. Assists: Holloway (15), Kyrou (17).
     
  • Dmitri Voronkov (15) made it 5-2 at 7:24. Assists: Monahan (26), Jordan Harris (2).
     
  • Colton Parayko (7) scored at 12:54 to make it 5-3. Assists: Pavel Buchnevich (17), Alexandre Texier (5). Texier picked up the helper in his return to Nationwide Arena following last summer's trade.
  • Schenn (8) made it 5-4 at 16:16 Assists: Cam Fowler (9), Kyrou (18).
     
  • Mathieu Olivier (10) (Empty Net) at 18:59. Assists: Provorov (15), Cole Sillinger (16).

Merzlikins finished with 29 saves on 33 shots. Joel Hofer had 33 saves on 38 shots.

The Blue Jackets are seventh in the NHL, and tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, with 50 third-period goals. Columbus has allowed 52 third-period tallies. The Jackets are third in the NHL with 95 5v5 goals.

Columbus will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. ET. The Jackets lead the season series 1-0 and are looking for a rare win at PPG Paints Arena. Columbus is 0-9-5 in its last 14 games in Pittsburgh.

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