The hat trick is one of the most elusive accomplishments in the NHL, let alone hockey. It requires a player to score three goals in a hockey game, which isn't easy to do. A team getting to three goals themselves is tough enough as it is, with numerous stop attempts being stopped by opposing goaltenders.
However, that doesn't stop the Vegas Golden Knights from creating incredible hat tricks in their franchise history. Many names within the team's history have scored three goals in a game. In fact, Jonathan Marchessault has the most career hat tricks with the Golden Knights with five.
Of course, this treasured accomplishment has helped Vegas succeed in the playoffs, even earning them a Stanley Cup. Without these achievements, how can Vegas ever become a winning franchise? That's why they're in the position of being one of the most decorated (and hated) NHL teams recently. You can't win a few games without scoring some goals.
Therefore, it's time to honor some of the best three-goal performances in Golden Knights history. These hat tricks helped Vegas move forward in their franchise history, leading them to that storied Stanley Cup. Players like Mark Stone have made their mark through this avenue, establishing themselves as revered figures in Las Vegas.
What are the three greatest hat tricks in Vegas's illustrious hockey history? How did these achievements help the Golden Knights in their journey to win a championship? Let's break down the X's and O's of each stat line and see how they helped Las Vegas's resident hockey team.
Jonathan Marchessault, Game 6 of the Western Conference second round, 2023 playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers were expected to win the Stanley Cup in 2023, boasting a top line of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With the best duo in hockey, who could take down the Oilers in a seven-game series? The Vegas Golden Knights, that's who, and they did it behind a balanced scoring attack.
Leading the charge was eventual Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Marchessault, who had a hat trick in the second round's clinching game. Marchessault single-handedly took over the second period--and game--by scoring all three goals in that period. In turn, it sent McDavid and company packing. It also sent the Golden Knights to face Pete DeBoer and the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.
They'd go on to beat the Stars and face the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Every Golden Knights fan knows how that story concluded, with Florida being no match. However, there's plenty of appreciation for the "Original Misfit" for putting Vegas on his back. Such memories create legends among a fanbase, which is especially true with Marchessault.