(Erik Gustafsson. Caps Outsider)
The crowd assembled at Capital One Arena looking for a chance to witness Alex Ovechkin make history, but instead saw one of the most unexpected things that could’ve happened this season.
Defenseman Erik Gustafsson recorded a hat trick, his first three goals as a member of the team, to lift the Caps past Toronto with a 5-2. He scored in each period.
“Great, obviously. Scoring the first goal as a Cap, too, and get a hatty on that is pretty unbelievable,” Gustafsson said of his performance. “It was a great feeling … I kind of blacked out there for a little bit.”
Gustafsson admitted it was a bit of a relief to see the puck finally go in after the chances he’s had this season.
The trio of goals marked the first hat trick by a Capitals’ defenseman since Sergei Gonchar in November 20oo.
Gustafsson’s first goal came when he stormed the net and chipped the puck between Ilya Samsonov‘s legs from the left post.
First goal as a Cap! pic.twitter.com/snRTb70h9Z
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2022
On his second goal,Ā Evgeny Kuznetsov found Gustafsson sneaking backdoor with the latter having a tap-in. Gustafsson said he was just hoping he didn’t miss the net.
“His stick,” Kuznetsov said with a chuckle on what he saw on the goal. “He got open. If you look back, he was skating from [behind our net] and he wants that puck.”
sweet sassy molassey š¤ pic.twitter.com/sIuADlT0g3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2022
Gustafsson completed the hat trick in a flash. His shot from the left face-off circle hit the back bar and went out in a flash. But the official immediately pointed for the goal and the hats started reigning down. Gustafsson said he knew it right away.
First careerš© pic.twitter.com/1DDOcnZm3N
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2022
“The offense has been there,” Capitals head coachĀ Peter LavioletteĀ said. “I think he has been really good offensively all year.”
