John Carlson scored his first career hat trick for the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
After 1,143 career games with the Washington Capitals without having a three-goal game, Carlson needed just 13 games to achieve one with the Ducks. The three goals helped push the Ducks to a blowout 6-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
“Yeah, it was just a great game,” Carlson said postgame. “I’ve obviously never had one, so it’s pretty exciting for me, too. I feel like the city’s embraced me. I love playing here. It’s been fun, and it’s good to get on the board.”
The goals were the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of Carlson’s stint with the Ducks, giving him 14 total goals this season. The 14 goals are the most he has scored in a single season since he potted 17 for the Capitals during the 2021-22 campaign, which is his career high. He’ll have three more games to try and tie or top that mark this year.
Carlson’s first goal
The veteran defender scored his first goal with 13:40 remaining in the first period to put the Ducks up 2-0.
After his defense partner, Pavel Mintyukov, kept the puck in the offensive zone at the left point, the Russian rearguard funneled a cross-ice pass to Mikael Granlund. Granlund then sent a drop pass to Carlson, who blasted a one-timer past a screened Yaroslav Askarov.
Carlson’s second goal
For his second goal, Carlson ripped another slap shot from the point, this time with the Ducks on a power play, 10:31 into the third period. Troy Terry and Beckett Sennecke picked up the assists.
Carlson’s third goal
Carlson finished off his hat trick just 3:32 after scoring his second goal. The marker was another power-play tally, coming with the Ducks on a long five-on-three advantage. Terry slipped Carlson a pass at the top of the left faceoff circle, and Carlson unleashed a third blast that rang off the post and in.
Carlson was named the First Star of the Game for his efforts, which increased his point total with the Ducks to 12 points (4g, 8a) in 13 games.
According to NHLPR, Carlson became only the third defenseman in NHL history to score a hat trick at age 36 or older, following Mathieu Schneider (October 11, 2006 & November 26, 2005) and Nicklas Lidstrom (December 15, 2010). Lidstrom is also the only defenseman to play more career games (1,442) before registering their first career hat trick.
Additionally, Carlson is the fourth defenseman in the Ducks’ franchise history to score a hat trick and the only one to do so in regulation.
