A pair of hattricks in the NHL last night helped a pair of Eastern Conference powerhouses continue their winning ways early in the season. Mats Zuccarello did the deed for the New York Rangers against the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Dale Weise got three goals for the Montreal Canadiens against the Calgary Flames. For both players it was their first career hat trick.
After scoring two goals earlier in the night, Zuccarello completed his hat trick with an empty netter. His three goals were all the Rangers would need as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 3-1.
Mats Zucarello Hat Trick
The deed rewarded Rangers coach Alain Vigneault who had reunited Zuccarello with Derrick Brassard and Rick Nash on the Rangers top line prior to the game.
“We got results from our difference makers,” said Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, who had reconfigured his top two lines, reuniting Zuccarello with Brassard and Nash and putting Chris Kreider back with Derek Stepan during a four-day break between games. The Rangers’ last game was 4-1 win over Calgary on Oct. 25.
“They had their best game of the year at both ends of the rink. They were real solid,” Vigneault added.
“We knew when (Vigneault) put us together (during Thursday’s practice) we had to come out bit,” Brassard said. “That’s what we did.”
Meanwhile in Calgary, Dale Weise’s hattrick helped the Canadiens end a mini-two game losing streak and gave the club their tenth win of the season. After three previous two goal games, Weise finally got his first career three goal game. The crowd in Calgary was evenly split between Flames and Canadiens fans, and so hats rained down to celebrate Weise’s feat.
Dale Weise Hat Trick
“It feels good,” said Weise, who also had a career-high seven shots on goal. “I’ve had so many chances, empty nets that I’ve missed that I just shouldn’t miss.”
Weise is already up to six goals on the year, just four back of his career-high of 10. He’s also just one back of Max Pacioretty for the team lead.
Weise appreciates the fan support on the road saying, “I seen them coming right away. I was a little shocked, but not really. The support we get all over, wherever we’re playing, this is a storied franchise. We’ve got the greatest fans in the world.”
Montreal returns home to play the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday Night.
Main Photo via Getty Images Sport
