NHL rookie Cole Sillinger achieved his first career NHL hat trick as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 6-4 Sunday night at Nationwide Arena.
Red-hot Patrick Laine got the scoregami going with his 23rd of the season on the power play just 2:12 into the game. However, Vegas would not be fazed and quickly responded with Jonathan Marchessault (25) at 3:13 tying things at 1. The Knights would add another goal a bit later, courtesy of William Carrier (7) at 7:23 to take a 2-1 lead. Columbus fought back, though, as Sillinger tallied his first of the night, his 9th of the season at 11:53 to put the Jackets back within 1. Oliver Bjorkstrand (21) at 12:23 tied the game at 2 by the end of the first period.
In the 2nd period, Sillinger would tally both goals he needed to complete his hat trick, scoring at 5:36 and 7:26 for goals 10 and 11, giving Columbus a 5-2 lead. Vegas did spoil things a bit 1 minute later, though, as Evgenii Dadonov (12) put the Knights within 2 heading into the 3rd period.
Vegas would in fact strike first in the 3rd, courtesy of Jack Eichel (5) at 2:40 on the power play to make it 5-4 Jackets. That would be the last goal by Vegas, though, as Columbus sealed things courtesy of Eric Robinson (7) with 11 seconds left in regulation to make it 6-4 Jackets.
Team Stats:
Shots: VGK 27, CBJ 38
Hits: VGK 12, CBJ 25
Faceoff Wins: VGK 30, CBJ 31
PIM: VGK 8, CBJ 10
Up Next:
VGK: 3/15, @ WPG, 8 PM
CBJ: 3/16, @ OTT, 7:30 PM
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