So, we know what you’re wondering. When was the last time a Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman recorded a hat trick? Well, the answer is December 23, 2006 when Dan Boyle scored three times in the third period to help the Bolts take down the New York Rangers, 4-3. After almost two decades, a Lightning blueliner matched that feat as Darren Raddysh scored three times against the San Jose Sharks in Tampa Bay’s 7-3 win.
It was Raddysh’s first career NHL hat trick and, coincidently enough, it happened against the same team that his brother, Taylor, playing for the New York Rangers, posted a hat trick against in October. The last time two brothers recorded a hat trick against the same team in the same season came during the Regan Administration when Marian and Peter Stastny (who both played for Quebec) achieved the feat against the woebegone Pittsburgh Penguins in 1982.
“You’ve seen his shot. It’s lethal,” is how Coach Jon Cooper described it after the game.
When asked about it after the game, Raddysh acknowledged the importance, “It’s pretty special. This organization has a lot of unbelievable players come through their time. To be a part of this is something special and I don’t take that too lightly.”
Despite playing their third game in four nights, the Lightning came out strong as they ripped off three goals in a span of 4:09 in the first period. Brayden Point opened the scoring with his fourth goal in his last three games prior to Raddysh’s first of the night. Brandon Hagel made it 3-0 just 6:46 into the game and the rout was on. Pavol Regenda, who had his own hat trick on the night, made it 3-1 midway through the period.
The Lightning have bounced out to big leads this season only to see their opponents whittle their way back into the game. Tonight was not one of those nights. As Coach Cooper said, “Got the lead. Extended the lead. Protected the lead”.
Raddysh and Dominic James scored 1:06 apart to make it 5-1, and the game was all but over despite Regenda’s second of the night midway through the period. Power play goals by Nikita Kucherov and Raddysh made it 7-2, rendering Regenda’s third-period goal nothing more than an interesting footnote.
Raddysh and Regenda became the second set of opposing players to record hat tricks in a game this season. The first time it happened was when Taylor Raddysh posted his hat trick against San Jose and Macklin Celebrini, who was held to just an assist tonight, recorded three goals against the Rangers.
Raddysh wasn’t the only Bolt to put up a huge statistical night as Nikita Kucherov recorded his eighth career five-point night. He now has multi-point efforts in each of his last seven road games and is now up to 59 points on the season. He became the first Bolt to hit the 20-goal mark this season and now has eleven 20-goal campaigns under his belt. Only Vincent Lecavalier (12) and Steven Stamkos (14) have more in franchise history.
Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 19 of 22 shots to pick up his fifth win in a row. Overall, the Bolts run their winning streak to seven games and their record against Western Conference teams to 12-4-0 this season. Anyone up for realignment?
The Bolts will be off until Tuesday when they host the best team in the league, the Colorado Avalanche.
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