BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kirill Marchenko scored three consecutive goals, including a nifty shot through his legs, for a natural hat trick, and the Blue Jackets beat the spiraling Buffalo Sabres 9-4.
Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and two assists, and Sean Kuraly, Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson had a goal and assist apiece.
Erik Gudbranson also scored in an outing the Blue Jackets broke open by scoring seven consecutive times over a 21:52 stretch spanning the first and second periods.
For Buffalo, Rasmus Dahlin opened the scoring 30 seconds in, and captain Kyle Okposo ended the Blue Jackets’ seven-goal surge by scoring with 66 seconds left in the second period.