John Tavares buries the rebound to score his 2nd of the season. 3-2 Toronto lead.
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John Tavares records first hat trick with Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2018, 22:17 EDTUpdated: Oct 7, 2018, 23:31 EDT
It took all of three games for John Tavares to net his first hat trick with the Maple Leafs.
The former Islander accomplished the feat Sunday evening against the Blackhawks in Chicago.
Tavares struck three times in a wild 7-6 victory to help the team get their second win of the season.
It was the ninth hat trick of Tavares’ NHL career and the first hat trick by a Leaf at United Center since Mats Sundin accomplished the feat in 1998.
John Tavares redirects Marner's shot on the PP to score his 2nd of the night. 4-3 Leafs.
His third goal might have been the most impressive.
With the game tied 4-4, Tavares showed some fantastic hand-eye to knock down Mitch Marner’s pass before sniping and completing his first hat trick with the Maple Leafs:
John Tavares with some great hand-eye before sniping to complete his first hat trick with Toronto
According to NHL Public Relations, Tavares is the fourth Maple Leafs’ player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1934-44) to score a hat trick within his first three games with the franchise.
Tavares has found chemistry with Auston Matthews quickly, as they’ve already combined for nine goals in their first three games together.
We knew Tavares was going to be good. He’s showing just how good that really is.
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