If anyone thought Patrice Bergeron was going to fall off at 32 years of age, they were wrong. Very, very wrong.
Indeed, the NHL’s best defensive forward for what seems like an eternity at this point has been his remarkable self once again this season. He entered Saturday’s contest with 26 points in 33 games.
He left it with 31 in 34.
Patrice Bergeron completes his second career hat trick. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/d3d2QtLRye
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 7, 2018
Yes, Bergeron put on a dazzling display against the woeful Carolina Hurricanes.
The four-time Selke winner came into the game three points shy of 700 for his career and reached the feat in the first period, scoring twice (one which was shorthanded) and adding an assist. He followed up a brilliant five-goal first frame (the first time that’s happened in over 24 years) by the Bruins with two more goals in the second, matching a Bruins record for most goals in a game with four, and match personal-best point total with five.
The last Bruin to score four in a game came back in 1999 from Dave Andreychuk.
It’s been a while, then, and Bergeron picked quite the night to match the record.
Patrice Bergeron completes his second career hat trick. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/d3d2QtLRye
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 7, 2018
The Bruins chased Hurricanes starter Cam Ward after two shots on goal -- both finding the back of the net.
Boston improved to 8-0-2 in their past 10 games and have scored 13 goals in their past three games.
But it was Bergeron’s night, completing his second-career hat trick to help the Bruins to an easy win.
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck