Kings Face Challenges Against Blue Jackets’ Power Play in Tough Loss
Columbus Blue Jackets Defeats Kings 3-1 on Power Play Goals
In a decisive matchup on Monday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets overcame the Los Angeles Kings, securing a 3-1 victory, highlighted by two power-play goals from Mason Marchment and another from Kirill Marchenko.
Goaltender Jet Greaves delivered an impressive performance, making 23 saves, while Damon Severson contributed with two assists. The win marked a significant turnaround for Columbus, ending their four-game road losing streak.
For the Kings, Andrei Kuzmenko managed to score, while Anton Forsberg recorded 27 saves, but the team continued to struggle offensively, finishing under three goals for the sixth consecutive game.
Columbus was without key defenseman Zach Werenski, who is day-to-day due to a lower-body injury sustained during a recent game against Anaheim. Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in goals, assists, and points, his tally of 14 goals currently ties him with Washington’s Jakob Chychrun as the highest among NHL defensemen.
Newcomer Mason Marchment, who was acquired from Seattle on Friday, made an immediate impact by scoring twice in the first period. He opened the scoring just 4:07 into the game with a wrist shot that went off Forsberg’s blocker, and later extended the lead to 2-0 with 23.5 seconds left in the period, redirecting Boone Jenner’s shot.
Kuzmenko brought the Kings within one goal with a score late in the second period, but Marchenko added another power-play goal for Columbus with 5:46 remaining in the third. The Blue Jackets’ three goals on the power play marked a season high and signaled the third instance of multiple power-play goals this season.
Los Angeles faced challenges in their first game following the trade of third-line center Phillip Danault to Montreal, as newly promoted centers Alex Turcotte and Samuel Helenius struggled to establish a rhythm in a game disrupted by frequent penalties.
The Kings will look to regroup as they prepare to face Seattle at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
