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Rare Backstrom hat trick powers Caps’ win against Bolts

during an NHL game at Verizon Center on December 13, 2014 in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green #52 after scoring his first goal of the game in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Verizon Center on December 13, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Patrick McDermott

To some, Nicklas Backstrom is basically the Swedish Joe Thornton, as he piles up assists while rarely scoring many goals.

Let’s hope he doesn’t ponder the same sort of celebrations that “Jumbo Joe” mentioned regarding Tomas Hertl’s four-goal night, however, as Backstrom showed he’s not a total slouch in the goals department tonight.

His first career regular-season hat trick powered the Washington Capitals’ 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Here’s video of Backstrom’s trio, which included two Alex Ovechkin assists:

Speaking of unusual events, the hat haul apparently included a Santa cap:

Apparently Backstrom’s scored a hat trick in his NHL career, just not in the regular season, as Mike Vogl of the team’s website notes that he collected one against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of that tide-turning 2010 playoff series: