A hat trick in a National Hockey League (NHL) game always attracts attention, and even more so in the playoffs, but interest in the topic is at its highest when it occurs in the Stanley Cup Finals.
On Monday, Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in a 7-2 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Finals. If he had scored again, he would have put his name on a prestigious list and accomplished a feat not seen in a long time. In the history of the circuit, 39 hat-tricks have been recorded in a finals clash.
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The last dates from the last century and was the work of Peter Forsberg. The Swede literally exploded in the first period of the series’ second clash against the Panthers in 1996. He hit the target three times in less than 11 minutes, contributing to the 8–1 win and Old Quebec Nordiques victory.
Previously, Éric Desjardins made history by becoming the first – and still only – defender to score three goals in one game in the final. In the second meeting against the Los Angeles Kings in 1993, Montreal Canadiens color defender Kelly Hrudey struck, particularly late in the third period and early in overtime, allowing his team to turn the tide with a 3-2 win at The Forum; The Habs won the next three games and lifted the trophy.
Photo archive, Karl Tremblay
The big ones get up
Not surprisingly, big names like Wayne Gretzky, Maurice and Henri Richard, Gordie Howe, Mike Bossy and Ted Lindsay make up the select group. Among them, the “Rocket” managed the feat three times during his prolific career, in 1944, 1953 and 1957. His brother Henri imitated him in the 1967 series, which he lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, in addition to the players mentioned above, Newsy Lalonde and Howie Morenz (twice) are the other originators of three-goal games in the final.
Additionally, Frank Foyston is the only hockey player to have accomplished this feat twice in a single final, in 1919. The Seattle Metropolitans skater did the Canadian damage, but not as much as the Spanish flu epidemic that started it to the premature end of the series after five matches and without a clear winner.