3 best hat tricks in Golden Knights history
The hat trick is one of the more elusive achievements in hockey. Here are three of the best in Vegas Golden Knights history.
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.
Mattias Janmark, Game 7 of the Western Division first round, 2021
Mattias Janmark had a strong presence during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, scoring two goals and two assists for the Edmonton Oilers. Despite Edmonton losing, the Swedish center helped his team come within a game of completing an incredible comeback. However, that wasn't the first time he was a clutch player.
Take May 28, 2021, as a perfect example. Facing a do-or-die game against the Minnesota Wild, Janmark stepped up with a hat trick. That included an empty-net goal to close the game and a first-period pass from Nicolas Roy to open the scoring. The center was a key player that few Golden Knights fans expected to rise to the occasion. Yet, he came through in a clutch when needed.
That awe-inspiring play also helped then-head coach Pete DeBoer's undefeated record (8-0) in deciding games, making him a nightmare matchup. He's carried that style into the playoffs, helping teams like Edmonton on the fourth line. That's how he got a three-year deal to stay with the Oilers this offseason. Although Vegas didn't win it all in 2021, they owe a great deal to Mattias Janmark for stepping up in a big moment. After all, it added credibility to the team's belief in balanced goal-scoring.
Mark Stone, Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final
Of course, a list of the best hat tricks can't be without the one achieved during the clinching Stanley Cup Final game. It would be like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter or jelly. It doesn't taste right without the two items together. That leads us to Mark Stone, who capped off a successful Stanley Cup run with a hat trick.
The Captain scored his first goal on a short-handed takeaway on Carter Verhaeage, leading to a breakaway in the first period. Here, he put a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky for the game's first goal, starting a goal frenzy. The second came off a one-timer feed from Brett Howden that blew the roof off T-Mobile Arena. Everyone was jumping and cheering in Las Vegas, getting ready to sing a certain song of victory.
The final goal was a simple empty net goal that put the exclamation point on the clinching game. Fans were going crazy all over Las Vegas, whether it was T-Mobile Arena, Toshiba Plaza, or the Circa Hotel. Although one can say Vegas would've had a dominating victory regardless of Stone's hat trick, the Captain's three-goal performance was the thing that started a goal-scoring barrage for the Golden Knights. That set the tone for an electric night in Las Vegas, with fans partying all night.
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