Kirill Marchenko’s fourth career NHL hat-trick and first three goals of the 2025-2026 regular season propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to their inaugural regulation victory over the Minnesota Wild in their quarter century campaign. The final box score was 7-4. 

Miles Wood opened the scoring with his first goal as a member of the Blue Jackets. Zach Aston-Reese executed the breakout pass that allowed Wood to drive through the neutral zone to the Wild net. This was the 92nd career goal for the former New Jersey Devils’ draft pick. 

Kirill Marchenko got his first goal of the season off the opening draw of the second period. Monahan won the draw back to Ivan Provorov who knocked a pass off Dmitry Voronkov’s stick to Marchenko who crossed the zone and ripped the puck off the post and behind Gustavsson. Great first line effort with a hint of luck. 

Matt Boldy rebounded the puck home behind Merzlikins on the powerplay for his second of the campaign. Joel Eriksson Ek had the initial rebound after a Kirill Kaprizov shot from the point. 

Kirill Kaprizov brought the home team back to even at 2 all for his first goal since his massive extension. His one timer was set up by Matt Boldy and two time cup champ Vladimir Tarasenko, his first apple in a Wild sweater. 

Marchenko rebounded his second of the evening home off a Voronkov redirect from a Zach Werenski shot to regain the lead. 

Zach Werenski ripped a shot from the point for his first goal of the regular season from birthday boy Adam Fantilli and first rounder Cole Sillinger 

Marchenko got the hat trick goal on the powerplay less than two minutes later from  Werenski and captain Boone Jenner. 

Zeev Buium recorded his first career goal on the powerplay on Merzlikins. Eriksson Ek and Boldy had the apples. 

Adam Fantilli redirected a Jenner shot off his leg for his first goal of the regular season. 

Kaprizov redirected in a Marco Rossi wrist shot from a Buium pass on the powerplay. 

Captain Boone Jenner closed the scoring o  the empty net after an impressive zone to zone rush and body protection from Charlie Coyle. The former Wild forward recorded his first point with the Blue Jackets. 

Kirill Kaprizov had 2 powerplay goals and a powerplay secondary assist for his 186th and 187th career goals and 205th career assist with his 392nd career points in his 328th appearance. 

Kirill Marchenko recorded his fourth career hat-trick from a break-in entry, rebound, and a powerplay beating Gustavsson. The Russian winger is at 78 career goals. 

Filip Gustavsson allowed 6 goals on 31 shots for a 0.806 save percentage. 

Elvis Merzlikins had 48 saves on 52 shots faced for a 0.923 save percentage. Despite 8 power plays and a first career goal, Elvis backstopped the Jackets to victory. 

CBJ Three Stars of the Game

Kirill Marchenko — hat-trick (3)Elvis Merzlikins — W, 92.3 SV%Zach Werenski — goal (1), 2 assists (2)

Canadian Thanksgiving tilt. Columbus Day home-opener against the New Jersey Devils at 7pm from Fan Duel Sports Network