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Game #50 Recap: Marchenko scores overtime beauty to beat LA in OT

Jan 25, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) scores the game winning goal on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) in overtime at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The team broke some bad news that Monahan has suffered a setback and isn’t expected to return to the lineup until March. At least Boone Jenner was seen skating with the team today and is could be in line to make his debut in the near future.

First Period

Good pace early in this one but not too many shots on goal for either side. The stingy Kings structure showed it’s strength. Almost halfway through the period some nice work from the D and forwards got the puck to LDBB in the neutral zone. Luca did a great job carrying the puck into the zone in the middle of the ice before finding a jumping Z near the blue line. He ripped a shot through Kuemper to break the ice and give the Jackets the lead.

The Kings responded to the goal with a long shift in the offensive zone leading to an Elvis glove save. On the ensuing faceoff a Kings set play created a shot and a rebound the Danault got to first to tie the game up at 1.

A few more chances either way to end the period but no more goals. Kings drove play in the first leading in shots 12-5, scoring chances 13-3, and xG 1.55-0.38 at 5v5 per NST.

Second Period

Playing the Kings requires patience (for the players and those watching at home) and that was true in the middle frame. LA controlled the pace and location of play through the first half, content to play well in the d zone and cycle in the offensive zone. The Jackets, and Elvis, did nice job of cleaning up any hairy situations and not giving the puck away too much despite not creating much offense

The first penalty of the game was assessed to the Kings about 12 minutes into this period. The Columbus power play did not have a good start as the Kings won the initial faceoff and found Kempe who charged through the middle of the D for a shorthanded breakaway. Fortunately, his shot went wide. The top unit did generate a nice opportunity but a timely Gavrikov block broke up the chance. No PP goal but momentum shifted in favor of the Jackets as they finally found some space and created some good rush chances in the latter half of the second.

The 2nd period ends as is started, tied at one goal apiece. Jackets led the 2nd period at 5v5 in shots 8-6 and xG 1.09-0.53 at 5v5.

Third Period

Fiala with a good chance early that he rang of the cross bar, but then the Jackets struck. Three minutes in an innocent-looking Fabbro wrister floated into the Kings net to regain the lead.

Another good response from the Kings following the goal to create consistent pressure. A shot from the point, 3 minutes after the Fabbro goal, was knocked down in front of Elvis and then put into the back of the net by Laferriere. However, Evason challenged that the previous play was offsides adn won the review. CBJ maintain the 2-1 lead.

With 11 minutes left LDBB intercepted a pass high in the d zone, carried it down the ice and rang one off the post. The initials line has continued to be great with their sticks in both zones to create chances.

Kings got their first power play 12 minutes into the 3rd when Severson interfered Byfield on a dump in. Silly penalty. The Kings spent the entire PP in the offensive zone but the PK did not allow for any shots on goal against.

Kings pulled their goalie with a little over 3 minutes left in the period and then proceeded to spend 2+ minutes in the offensive zone at 6 on 5. The Jackets had two clear chances to clear but Spence kept it in both times, and the Kings scored on a rebound with a minute remaining in the 3rd. This marked the first time the Kings had scored a tying goal with the goalie pulled this season.

Kings led the 3rd in the possession metrics, largely influenced by score effects, including shots 12-7, scoring chances 9-7, and xG 1.45-0.42 at 5v5.

Overtime

Another Kempe rush chance is defended early in the OT before the Jackets gained control of the puck and spent the next 90 seconds with possession. Werenski created a rush chance but got slashed on the hands and was awarded a rare OT penalty shot. Unfortunately he got too close to Kuemper on the attempt and lost control before he could get a shot off. A few chances either way before Marchenko carried the puck down the wing and made a power move to the net beating both defender and goalie for the game winning goal.

Final Thoughts

When one plays the Los Angeles Kings, this is the kind of game one gets. This is a good win for the Jackets against a top team from the West. Los Angeles plays with a lot of poise and structure and forces teams to be patient and convert their chances when they get them.

Marchenko continues to be a rock star. The OT goal was a spectacle and he is always noticeable on his shifts whether he has the puck or not. The Initials Line had some good moments in this game, KJ especially was one of the only bright spots early when the Kings were shutting things down.

Fabbro and Werenski scoring the non-OT goals is a comment on how well the Kings defended in this one. Good shots from both of them were the only things to get behind a good performance from the Kings goalie tonight before missing his pokecheck on Marchenko. Generally every other defensive pair will look poor on the stat sheets but its hard to complain when the Kings created chances in bunches against the bottom 6 on long shifts and mucked up the neutral zone.

Elvis was great again in this one. The Kings frequently got chances in close and Elvis was up the challenge more often than not. It’s been shaky at times this season but Merzlikins is averaging under two goals against in his last 5 starts. More play like this and the playoffs are well within reach, even if the injuries remain a problem.

Per NST at all Situations the Kings win the stat battle in this one leading in shots 33-24, scoring chances 39-23, and xG 3.91-2.32, but not where it matters. The shot map is a great representation of the Kings executing their game plan but not solving the goalie.

Up Next

Back on the road for the first of four games away from Nationwide. Columbus travels to Las Vegas, puck drop is Thursday at 10 PM.

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