History in Buffalo.
Kirill Marchenko scored the fastest natural hat trick in Columbus Blue Jackets history in Tuesday's 9-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Marchenko's first goal for the Blue Jackets came on the power play, making it a 3-1 game at the 19:48 mark.
MARCHENKOHMYGOD #CBJ pic.twitter.com/zwb9cleQHR
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 20, 2023
FILTH. JUST FILTH. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SfAcaBjRVU
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 20, 2023
He scored his second goal of the game at 7:37 to give Columbus a 4-1 lead.
FILTH. JUST FILTH. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SfAcaBjRVU
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 20, 2023
What was Johnny Gaudreau's reaction to the between-the-legs goal?
"I couldn't really even see it, I'll have to watch the replay, but I heard the guys hooting and hollering about the goal," Gaudreau said. "He's so skilled, and he's a great human, great person, great teammate, and it's fun to watch him play well, score goals, and it's fun to see him happy because he gets the guys excited, and he brings a good mood and attitude toward the locker room so I was happy for him."
At 7:55, Marchenko checked off two franchise records on one goal, completing the fastest natural hat trick with three goals in 8:07, surpassing Geoff Sanderson (9:43 on Mar. 29, 2003), and he scored the fastest two goals (:18), surpassing Cam Atkinson (:31 on Oct. 27, 2018).
Kirill Marchenko scored a natural hat trick in a span of 8:07, marking the second fastest three goals by one player in @BlueJacketsNHL history behind Jeff Carter (3:18 on Dec. 22, 2011).#NHLStats: https://t.co/c50qPsbMBw pic.twitter.com/netiCR9A58
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 20, 2023
As Tuesday's star-studded performance indicates, Marchenko has been tearing it up with eight points (six goals, two assists) in his last seven games. Marchenko's 13 goals put him into a tie for first on the team with Boone Jenner. With 21 points on the year, he trails Zach Werenski by two for the team lead. Since Nov. 1, he has led the team with 13 goals and is second with 18 points. Marchenko leads the team with six goals in December.
"It could've gone to a lot of guys, but second career hat trick..."
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 20, 2023
Kirill Marchenko earned the Kepi for his performance in the @BlueJacketsNHL's 9-4 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/wYNNq2qyvy
In the largest scoring output game of the season for Columbus, the nine goals in a game is the second most in franchise history. They scored ten in a 10-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 4, 2016.
In Tuesday's historic game, Marchenko was one of 14 players with a point and one of 10 players in double-scoring figures for Columbus, the latter of which set a franchise mark.
The Blue Jackets take on the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena. Their last game before the Christmas break is on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 7:00 pm ET against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
