COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kirill Marchenko scored early in the third period to rally the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Saturday night. The victory snapped a three-game skid and gave the Blue Jackets their first home win of the season.

Kent Johnson celebrated his 23rd birthday in style by scoring a goal, and Damon Severson also found the back of the net for Columbus. Goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 17 shots to earn his first win of the season.

Marchenko has been on fire, tallying five goals in as many games— the most to start a Blue Jackets season. He is currently riding a five-game point streak.

For Tampa Bay, Ryan McDonagh and Anthony Cirelli scored. The Lightning held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period but have now dropped three consecutive games. Jonas Johansson made 28 saves in the loss.

The scoring got started with Johnson’s goal at 4:58 of the first period, putting Columbus ahead during a chippy frame that saw a combined 30 penalty minutes. McDonagh tied it at 12:42, before Cirelli gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead with 3:38 remaining in the period—just 16 seconds into a power play.

Columbus has struggled on the penalty kill, allowing goals on eight of 18 power plays this season, including three of five at home.

Severson evened the score at 13:59 of the second period. Then Marchenko’s early third-period goal at 1:15 sealed the win for the Blue Jackets.

### Up Next

– **Lightning:** Host Chicago on Thursday night.
– **Blue Jackets:** Visit Dallas on Tuesday night.
https://wtop.com/sports/2025/10/marchenkos-third-period-goal-lifts-blue-jackets-to-first-home-win-3-2-over-lightning/