With two goals in the first period and a third in the final frame, Tom Wilson scored his first career hat trick in Anaheim on Thursday (Friday on the East Coast) in Washington’s 5-4 victory.
A few hats came down at Honda Center, and one remained on the ice even as play resumed. According to Caps TV announcers Craig Laughlin and Joe Beninati, a referee picked up the hat and was about to dump it on Anaheim’s bench, but thought better of it and put it on the Caps’ bench.
Two of Wilson’s goals also came on the much-struggling power play. Alex Ovechkin assisted on two of Wilson’s goals.
The hat trick came in Wilson’s 700th career game. Wilson was drafted in the first round, 16th overall in 2012. He currently leads the team with seven goals this season.
Wilson’s three-goal performance was the first on the team since Ovechkin did it nearly a year ago, on Dec. 31, 2022.
