Photo: @Capitals/Twitter
Washington Capitals defenseman Eric Gustafsson scored his first career hat-trick on Saturday night as the team hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena. Gustafsson became only the third Blue Liner in franchise history to score a hat-trick.
His first goal of the night was his first goal of the season When As the first capital, they turned off assists from left fielder Sonny Milano (9) and fellow defenseman Jon Carlson (12) to make it 1-0 midway through the opening frame.
Washington took an early lead with a goal by Gustafsson to former cap Ilya Samsonov.
1-0 @uppercase letter # all caps pic.twitter.com/ldJAnmpuJT
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 18, 2022
Gustafsson (2) added the pot in the second period with just 2:51 to extend the Capitals lead to 3-1. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov (20) and Milano (11) assist.
Gustafsson again!?!! The Caps defense is leading the charge against Toronto tonight!@uppercase letter Up 3-1#CapsLeafs pic.twitter.com/oeAVneMKDJ
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 18, 2022
He completed his first career hat-trick at the 3:47 mark of the final frame as Washington led 5–2. Kuznetsov, 21, and center Aliaksey Protas, 4, were the backers.
When Captain Ovi tells you to throw your hat, you throw your hat🧢
Gustafsson hat-trick!!!@uppercase letter Up 5-2 pic.twitter.com/poCBwPD8mP
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 18, 2022
Cap loyalists tossed their hats in celebration of Gustafsson’s first hat-trick of his NHL career.
Bucket full of hats thanks to Erik Gustafsson’s hat trick!
🎩🎩🎩 #CapsLeafs # all caps pic.twitter.com/QxQbglZmVy— Al Cooking (@RealSmokinAl) December 18, 2022
per Mike Vogel, Gustafsson makes Capitals first defense He has scored a regular season hat-trick since January 4, 2000, when Sergei Gonchar v. Montreal at Capital One Arena.Tonight marked Gustafsson’s second career multi-goal game (February 2, 2019 in Minnesota as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks).
It was the 147th regular season hat-trick in franchise history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 18, 2022
Gustafsson is just the second defenseman to score a hat-trick in the NHL this season (Eric Carlson: Nov. 1 vs. Anaheim).
🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/qYVgDYpRQY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2022
Della Young
