Kirill Marchenko is slowly building a reputation as an elite shooter in the National Hockey League, and he proved it again by scoring three goals in a 9-4 win over the Sabers on Tuesday in Buffalo.
His first success was worth seeing. The Columbus Blue Jackets right winger took advantage of a power play late in the first period to beat Devon Levi with a sharp shot between the legs.
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With his back to the cage, he maneuvered quickly after receiving the pass from Johnny Gaudreau. Marchenko barely had time to throw upfield before he was pushed by an opposing defender. The Quebec goalkeeper saw nothing but fire.
Levi's night ended after the Russian's second goal, 7:37 into the middle period. Marchenko fired quite a wrist shot and since the goalkeeper had just given up for the fourth time in 18 shots, head coach Don Granato preferred to send him to the shower.
As soon as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen took office, Marchenko greeted him. Eighteen seconds passed between his two successes. Overall, he scored his second career hat trick in 8:07.
The Jackets' 2018 second-round pick now has 13 goals on his record. In the 2022-2023 season, he had 21 and only four assists in 59 games.
Marchenko wasn't the only one having fun, as Gaudreau finished the night with three points. Eight more of her teammates had two points.