Mason Marchment’s hat trick leads Blue Jackets past Lightning (Image via: Getty Images) Mason Marchment’s hat trick and assist propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to an 8-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena on Saturday. The win ended Tampa Bay’s 15-game point streak and showed how strong the Blue Jackets have been lately, winning six of their last seven games. Columbus used a mix of skill and determination to hold off the Lightning’s comeback. Charlie Coyle contributed significantly, scoring his 200th NHL goal and adding two assists, while Adam Fantilli scored and set up two more goals. Goaltender Jet Greaves made 25 crucial saves as Columbus (24-20-7) controlled the pace and managed to contain Tampa Bay’s high-powered attack for most of the contest.
Blue Jackets’ strong offensive display powers win against Tampa Bay Lightning
Columbus jumped to an early 4-2 lead after the first period, only to see Tampa Bay tie the game 4-4 in the second. Marchment, however, kept the Blue Jackets ahead with two quick goals, frustrating the Lightning’s comeback efforts. “The thing that sticks out for me is just the way that we bounced back after they kind of came back and pushed against us,” Marchment said. “For us to keep our foot on the gas and keep frustrating them was huge.” Despite Nikita Kucherov’s goal and three assists and Jake Guentzel’s two goals with an assist, the Lightning (32-14-4) could not maintain their momentum. Tampa Bay, playing the second night of a back-to-back after a shootout win against Chicago, also lost defenseman Erik Cernak to injury and Gage Goncalves to illness during the game. Coach Jon Cooper acknowledged Columbus’ readiness, stating, “They’ve got one of the best defensemen in the League (Zach Werenski), and they were ready for us.” Columbus’ early scoring came from Cole Sillinger’s wrist shot and Marchment’s slick move in the slot, followed by Fantilli breaking his 17-game goal drought. Coyle later extended the lead with a power-play goal, supported by Fantilli’s precise setup. Marchment capped the game with an empty-net goal for his third career hat trick, marking eight goals in nine games since his acquisition from the Seattle Kraken on December 19. Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness praised the team’s determination: “It doesn’t matter, find a way to win any way you can.” The victory not only halts Tampa Bay’s streak but reinforces Columbus’ position as a formidable contender in the league.