The first hat-trick of an NHL career is a major accomplishment, and that is what happened at Nationwide Arena last night between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vegas Golden Knights. The upset victory by Columbus was headlined by rookie Cole Sillinger’s first career three goal game, with the final score being 6-4.
Scoring commenced with the Union Blue in their second straight contest, with a power play in the first two minutes of the game. Passing puck play found the puck on the stick of Patrik Laine, keeping his hot streak rolling with his team leader and him co-leading the Jackets goal scoring department. That number is 23. Gustav Nyquist and Jack Roslovic helped with passing to add to their point totals on the season.
Just a minute later, the former Columbus draft selection beat Merzlikins high over his glove. Jonathan Marchessault remained hot on an unassisted tally, for his 25th of the year to tie the game at 1-1.
William Carrier then put Vegas up by one with his 7th of the season; Nicolas Roy and Chandler Stephenson had the helpers.
Columbus got the lead back with 2 goals in 3 seconds late in the first frame. Sillinger potted his 9th to even the scoring at 2-2; Oliver Bjorkstrand and Dean Kukan got the helpers. Bjorkstrand’s 21st got Columbus the lead in the game; Max Domi and Kuks got the assists.
Sillinger scored the next two goals in the game to complete the hatty. Silly’s 10th came off a deflection from Bjorkstrand and Andrew Peeke; Sill’s 11th came from Domer and Bjorky.
Evgney Dadanov cut the lead to 2 with his 12th; former Jacket Keegan Kolesar got the primary assist; Alex Piterangelo got the secondary. Jack Eichel scored his 5th as a Golden Knight; Stephenson and Marchessault had the apples.
The final goal came from a recent return in Eric Robinson, in a empty net, for his 7th; Zach Werenski got the lone assist.
Columbus came out on top with last night’s injuries to captain Boone Jenner and the hurt knee of Jakub Voracek. The depth is clicking in Ohio. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 23 of 27 shots for a 0.852 save percentage.
Vegas was relying on their third stinger in Logan Thompson to escape with 2 points in the tight Western Wild Card. Thompson stopped 32 of 37 for a 0.865 save percentage.
CBJ THREE Stars of the Game
1. Cole Sillinger— 1st Career Hat-Trick (11)
2. Oliver Bjorkstrand— goal (21), 3 assists (24)
3. Max Domi— 2 assists (22)
More to come… 7 days until the deadline…. Happy Pie Day! Rest easy Scott Hall…