Despite failing to reach the 20-goal plateau this season, Alex Galchenyuk was able to score his second career National Hockey League hat trick against the New York Islanders during the year. Galchenyuk ended the night with four points, scoring three goals and notching an assist.
Galchenyuk scored his first of the night in the second period, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 lead. The American had already assisted on the game opening goal by Brendan Gallagher. Galchenyuk carried the puck up ice and entered the zone successfully, before dishing the puck to defenseman David Schlemko who rang it off the post. With nothing but an open net in front of Galchenyuk, he had no problem burying the rebound.
The second goal occurred over eight minutes later, once again to give the Canadiens a lead. The Islanders attempted to make a clearance before defenceman Mike Reilly intercepted the puck. He quickly fed it to Galchenyuk, who was quick with the trigger.
The Canadiens entered the third period tied 3-3 with the Islanders. Paul Byron and Noah Juulsen scored for the Canadiens to give themselves a two-goal lead. With one minute to play, the Habs refused to relent on their forechecking. Brendan Gallagher kept the Islanders from passing the middle of the ice by sticking with Mathew Barzal.
The puck went back to captain John Tavares, who couldn’t get away from Galchenyuk. He then lost the puck, which allowed Galchenyuk to take the puck and score his third goal of the game.
Galchenyuk’s hat-trick came in his 400th NHL game. His first three-goal game came on Dec. 16, 2014 in a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
