In a move that shook up the fan base in the late afternoon hours on Tuesday, Andrew Peeke did what he could to make the move look genius.
Kirill Marchenko was scratched ahead of Tuesday night's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the Blue Jackets opting to dress eleven forwards and seven defensemen, giving Peeke a crack at the lineup.
This season, Marchenko is third on the Blue Jackets with 32 points, second with 17 goals, and is tied for fifth with 15 assists with Adam Fantilli.
Marchenko has only scored four goals in the new year, with his last tally coming in the Feb. 25 win over the New York Rangers. He recorded an assist with a nifty behind-the-back pass to Yegor Chinakhov in Monday's win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
CHINNY FROM MARCHY AND NATIONWIDE ARENA IS BANANALANDS #CBJ pic.twitter.com/f95G03fDbZ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 5, 2024
It's a curious decision to scratch one of your best young forwards in the second of a back-to-back on the road in Pittsburgh, a place they never win mind you, to be a forward short.
Head coach Pascal Vincent had his reasoning.
"I feel his last two games ... his standards have been lowered a little bit for himself," Vincent said. "I know the intentions are right. We just want the best out of him. He's going to play (Thursday against Edmonton)."
Ahead of last Saturday's win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Vincent said he was limiting the line of Chinakhov, Dimitri Voronkov, and Marchenko because they, "start playing like the Harlem Globetrotters."
#CBJ Coach Pascal Vincent on limiting the Russian lines ice time v. Canes: Im cautious about that line cuz they start playing like the Harlem Globetrotters, I dont want to see that.
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) March 2, 2024
Maybe Marchenko's behind-to-back assist on Chinakhov's goal is what drew ire. In all seriousness, though, Vincent said he scratched Marchenko due to his energy level.
More Pascal Vincent on Marchenko: "I felt the last few games, his legs weren't there as much, so maybe it's just energy level. I felt the skating was not like it was, maybe more than two games ago.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 5, 2024
"So, just a reset. It's not gonna define his career. He's a good player for us.
Furthermore, Peeke was on the other side of the equation as he re-entered the lineup on the blue line. Peeke has only played in 22 games this season and has been among those players subject to possible trade rumors.
Why go 11-7 and bring in Andrew Peeke for Marchenko?
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 5, 2024
Vincent: (Andrew Peeke) is giving his best. He's low maintenance. He's a great pro. He works hard in practices. Even the games that he got scratched, the game that he's played before that, he didn't deserve to be scratched.
It's great that Peeke is a good pro, but he's been scratched most of this season for a reason, right?
You can argue the semantics of healthy scratching Kirill Marchenko, fine. Everyone sits at some point. But not recalling a forward from one of the AHL's top teams and instead playing a defenseman who has struggled *all season* is...something. #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 5, 2024
Naturally, Peeke scored his first of the season at 5:28 of the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
How about Andrew Peeke, scoring his first of the season. Assists to Bean and Texier. pic.twitter.com/6BNfS3vY4M #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 6, 2024
He picked up his second point of the night on Jack Roslovic's shorthanded goal at 8:04 to tie the game at 3-3.
Roslovic's shorthanded goal, assisted by Peeke. pic.twitter.com/jfTZbtjwl4 #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 6, 2024
However, Peeke was just as responsible for Jeff Carter's goal that went in for the Penguins at the 8:26 mark of the third period to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead as the puck pinballed off Jet Greaves onto Peeke and into the net.
Another one for the black and goal-d pic.twitter.com/Xi9mO9kLz5
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 6, 2024
The Blue Jackets are back in action on Thursday night when they face Connor McDavid, Leon Drasiaitl, and the Edmonton Oilers.
