Tom Wilson notches first career NHL hat trick

Tom Wilson (Michael Miller, Wikimedia Commons)

Washington Capitals right winger Tom Wilson of Toronto, Ontario notched his first career National Hockey League hat trick on Thursday. He accomplished the feat in a 5-4 Capitals win over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Wilson’s first goal came at 15:54 of the first period to tie the game at two goals apiece. It was an unassisted marker. Wilson then put the Capitals up 3-2 with a power-play goal at 18:39 of the first period from Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson. Wilson then notched the hat trick with the game-winning goal on the power-play. He scored from Ovechkin and Carlson again at 14:22 of the third period. At the time, the Capitals went up 5-3.

Wilson was one of two Canadians to score for the Capitals in the game. The other was right winger Anthony Mantha of Longueuil, Quebec.

In 2023-24, Wilson has seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 20 games. He is a -4 with 43 penalty minutes, three power-play points, one shorthanded point, two game-winning goals, 60 shots on goal, five faceoff wins, 13 blocked shots, 57 hits, 18 takeaways and 16 giveaways. Wilson’s shorthanded point was a shorthanded goal on October 27, in a 3-2 Capitals win over the Minnesota Wild. Wilson scored from Connor McMichael of Ajax, Ontario, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Wilson’s other game-winning goal came from Ovechkin and Carlson on October 29 in a 3-1 Capitals win over the San Jose Sharks.

The Capitals are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They have a record of 12 wins, six regulation losses, and two losses in extra time for 26 points.

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