Three things we learned in NHL: Nugent-Hopkins the hat-trick hero

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl each picked up a hat trick, Connor McDavid scored picked up four points and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-4.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was quick off the mark, Alexander Edler is closing in on history and the Montreal Canadiens are getting scoring from everywhere.

Here are three things we learned in the NHL on Tuesday.

Hats off to Nugent-Hopkins

The Edmonton Oilers have experienced some dark days for the last decade or so. That’s why it’s no surprise that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the first Oilers player to record a first-period hat trick since Taylor Hall back in 2013.

That’s not the only mind-blowing hat-trick stat involving the Oilers, either.

The Oilers’ win over the Los Angeles Kings was a goal-fest in general. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were both on the scoresheet and became the NHL’s most lethal duo in the process.

Despite that last stat, the Oilers are on pace to miss out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 12th time in 13 years.

Canadiens spread the wealth

One team that could be headed to the post-season, thanks in large part to a vast distribution of goal-scoring, is the Montreal Canadiens.

With Artturi Lehkonen recording his 10th goal of the season in Montreal’s 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, he became the 12th different 10-goal scorer for the Canadiens in 2018-19. No other team has more.

If the Canadiens are able to hold onto that final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, it’ll be down to two reasons: Carey Price and their litany of scoring.

Edler pulls level with his countryman

Swedish players have a special place in Vancouver Canucks history, and one more Swede is on his way to solidifying another franchise feat.

Alex Edler’s goal on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks was his 93rd with the Canucks, pulling level with countryman Mattias Ohlund for the most among Vancouver defencemen in history.

With Edler’s deal expiring after this season, his future in Vancouver remains unclear. But he still has a few more games to secure that record if the team doesn’t bring him back after the campaign.

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