Tampa Bay Lightning player secures hat-trick in unbelievable way
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Brayden Point (center) celebrates scoring against the Washington Capitals. Mike Carlson/NHLI/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Lightning star Brayden Point scored a hat-trick in a bizarre way during Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals at Amalie Arena. The performance marked the fifth hat-trick of Point’s NHL career, but the way he earned his third goal left fans and players alike scratching their heads.
Point’s third goal came under unusual circumstances when Washington’s goalie Charlie Lindgren attempted to play the puck behind his net. Instead of clearing the puck to his teammates, Lindgren inadvertently sent it into his own goal, gifting Point the tally. Despite the oddity of the situation, the error did not prove to be the turning point in the game, as Washington regained control late in the third period.
“I kind of chuckled to myself,” Lindgren said after the game. “It was obviously the worst mistake I’ve probably ever made on the ice. I don’t know what I was thinking, but the guys picked me up. I’ve got a lot of respect for those guys.”
While Lindgren’s mistake was certainly a low point in the game for the Capitals, he redeemed himself in the final minutes by making crucial saves. After the gaffe, he stopped every shot he faced, finishing with a total of 25 saves on the night. His efforts were key in keeping his team in the game and ultimately securing the victory.
“Mistakes happen in the game,” Point said. “He kind of threw it in there, but he made some great saves down the stretch, and that’s what matters.”
Tampa Bay had taken a 3-1 lead early in the game thanks to Point’s two previous goals and a score from Michael Eyssimont. However, Washington clawed their way back, with goals from Andrew Mangiapane, Aliaksei Protas, and Dylan Strome. By the time Point scored his third goal, the game was tied at 3-3, but his hat-trick temporarily gave the Lightning the edge.
However, the Capitals responded strongly in the final minutes of the third period. John Carlson scored to tie the game, and Tom Wilson netted a power-play goal late to put Washington ahead. Despite a valiant effort by Tampa Bay, they could not reclaim the lead, and the game ended with the Capitals securing a 5-4 win.
The victory improved the Capitals’ record to 15-6-1, while the Lightning fell to 11-8-2. Despite the loss, Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper felt his team had earned at least one point in what was an evenly matched contest.
“I thought tonight, both teams probably deserved a point. Everything was pretty much even,” Cooper said after the game, marking his 900th NHL game as head coach. “It was a back-and-forth battle, and at the end of the day, we came up just short.”
The game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of hockey, with both teams experiencing highs and lows throughout the contest. While Point’s hat-trick was the highlight for the Lightning, it was overshadowed by Washington’s late-game surge. Lindgren’s early mistake was forgotten thanks to his critical saves, and Washington’s offense came through when it mattered most.
For the Lightning, the loss was a frustrating one, but the team remains competitive in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 11-8-2, they will look to bounce back in their upcoming games and continue to build on the performances of players like Point.
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