Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan collected his third career National Hockey League hat trick on Tuesday. He accomplished the feat in an 8-5 Lightning win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Hagel registered a natural hat trick (three consecutive goals), with all three goals coming in the second period. Hagel put the Lightning up 3-2 at 9:27 of the second period from Anthony Cirelli of Etobicoke, Ontario and defenseman Nicklaus Perbix. Hagel’s second goal put the Lightning up 4-2 at 13:01 of the second period. Cirelli and Connor Geekie of Strathclair, Manitoba picked up the assists. Hagel’s hat trick put the Lightning up 5-2 at 15:53 of the second period from Cirelli and defenseman Emil Martinsen Lilleberg.
In addition to the hat trick, Hagel added an assist for a four point game. Hagel’s assist came on the game-winning goal by Lightning defenseman and captain Victor Hedman at 17:28 of the second period to put Tampa Bay up 6-2.
Hagel was one of two Canadians on the Lightning with a multi-point game. The other was Cirelli, who added four assists. Hagel was one of two Canadians with a goal. The other came from Brayden Point of Calgary, Alberta.
Hagel’s first NHL hat trick came on February 22, 2022. Ironically, Hagel also led his team to an 8-5 win over the Devils. However, at the time Hagel was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. Hagel’s second hat trick came on March 18, 2023 in a 5-3 Lightning win over the Montreal Canadiens.
For the season, Hagel has five goals and three assists for eight points in six games. He is a +6 with two penalty minutes, 16 shots on goal, one faceoff win, two blocked shots, one hit, one takeaway, and nine giveaways. Hagel’s two blocked shots came in a 4-1 Lightning win over the Vancouver Canucks on October 15. Interestingly, all eight of Hagel’s points this season have been while Tampa Bay has been even strength.
With the win, the Lightning improved to a record of four wins and two losses for eight points. They are in a second place tie with the Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division and one points back of the first place Florida Panthers.