John Carlson Celebrates First Hat Trick in 17-Year NHL Career with Ducks Victory

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, John Carlson, the seasoned defenseman, achieved his first NHL hat trick in an impressive 17-season career. This milestone came during a pivotal game for the Anaheim Ducks against the San Jose Sharks, where Carlson’s three goals contributed to a commanding 6-1 victory that snapped a six-game losing streak.

The 36-year-old Carlson, who has played 1,156 regular-season games and 137 playoff contests, expressed his joy following the game. “I’ve seen a lot (of hat tricks) in my day, and always was a little bit jealous,” he said with a smile, reflecting on the many multi-goal performances he witnessed while playing alongside NHL legend Alex Ovechkin during his time with the Washington Capitals.

Despite never actively pursuing a hat trick, Carlson’s achievement was particularly sweet as it came at a crucial moment for the Ducks, who are fighting to end a seven-year postseason drought. His final goal, which came with 5:57 remaining in the game, sent a flurry of hats onto the Honda Center ice, marking only the fourth hat trick by a defenseman in Ducks history and the first since 2018.

“It was great,” Carlson noted. “I’ve obviously always wanted one. I think it was a good game to do it in, a home game. The crowd was great tonight from puck drop, and I think we just kept feeding on that and played a really good game.”

Carlson’s hat trick also made him the third defenseman in NHL history to score three goals after his 36th birthday, joining the ranks of Mathieu Schneider and Nicklas Lidstrom, the latter achieving this feat at the age of 40. Among defensemen, only Lidstrom played more games before securing his first hat trick than Carlson.

Since joining the Ducks at the trade deadline, Carlson has made a significant impact, recording 12 points in 13 games. His addition has been crucial for a team looking to bolster its defense and improve its power play, which had been struggling prior to his arrival. “He comes in and he’s an amazing player,” said center Leo Carlsson, who scored the game’s opening goal. “Great person, too. He helps us a lot, so nothing but amazing things to say about him.”

With his hat trick, Carlson now has 14 goals this season across both teams, just three shy of his career-high. His first goal against the Sharks was a blistering slap shot clocked at 97.47 mph, the hardest shot leading to a goal for the Ducks this season. He followed that with two more power-play goals in the third period, showcasing his powerful shot and playmaking ability.

Coach Joel Quenneville praised Carlson’s contributions, especially on the power play, stating, “He’s got the presence to shoot from the top. He’s got good play recognition, and the power play needed that.”

After a disappointing loss to Nashville just two days prior, the Ducks bounced back in style against a rival team also vying for a playoff spot. With the victory, Anaheim moved into third place in the Pacific Division with 89 points, just one behind the Edmonton Oilers. With only three games left in the season, Carlson remains optimistic about the Ducks’ chances of securing a playoff berth for the 15th time in his career, which includes a championship win in 2018. “Building that mentality, reaching back for a picture or a memory of (good) starts, those things are all good to have at this point in the year,” Carlson remarked, looking ahead to the final stretch of the season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.