Boeser Pots Hat Trick As Canucks Beat Lightning In Vancouver For The First Time Since 2016

Brock Boeser records his fifth career hat trick in the win.

Brock Boeser scored a hat trick, and Quinn Hughes hit 30 assists on the season as the Vancouver Canucks (19-9-1) defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning (13-12-5) at home for the first time since 2016. Despite giving up the first goal less than two minutes in, the Canucks controlled the game and were rewarded with a 4-1 victory. With the win, Vancouver improves their home record to 11-3-1 and are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for the most home wins in the NHL. 

There are a lot of storylines to come out of this game, but maybe the most important was that Andrei Kuzmenko finally delivered on the power play. For the first time since October 4, Kuzmenko found the back of the net with the man advantage thanks to a rocket from just above the faceoff circle. The celebration said it all, as the goal was a massive weight lifted from his shoulders. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as he looks to get back on track after a tough start to the season. 

Now, onto the star of the game, Brock Boeser. Recording his fifth career hat trick, the Canucks winger is now up to 21 goals on the year, which is tied with Austin Matthews for the league lead. For comparison, he now has more goals than last season despite playing 45 fewer games. He is a player who is easy to cheer for; if he keeps this pace up, he may surpass his career-high of 29 before the start of 2024. 

Here is Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko on Boeser's season to this point:

"It's good to see. Obviously, Brock and I are really tight and have been really good friends for pretty much our whole careers. It's awesome to see. I know how much work he has put in, physically, mentally, spiritually, just trying to get to his full potential. We are seeing him take steps in that direction, so it's awesome."

Overall, this was a solid win by Vancouver. They were able to shut down one of the premier offensive players in the NHL and hold a dangerous Lightning team to one goal on 29 shots. Now on a three-game win streak, it looks as though the players are embracing Tocchet's style of play as they continue to rack up victories in December. 

Stats and Facts

- With his first-period assist, Quinn Hughes moves into third all-time in assists by a defenceman in franchise history 

- Miller's 220th assist as a Canuck moves him past Bo Horvat and into a tie with Tony Tanti for 18th on the franchise's all-time assist list

- Brock Boeser's fifth career hat trick ties Todd Bertuzzi and Petri Skriko for the sixth most 3+ goal games in franchise history

- With the victory, the Canucks move to 16-0 on the season when leading after two periods

Game Summary

1st Period

TBL: 1:25- Brayden Point (13th) from Mikhail Sergachev and Brandon Hagel

VAN: 6:08- Andrei Kuzmenko (5th) from Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller (PPG)

2nd Period 

VAN: 9:29- Brock Boeser (19th) from J.T. Miller and Nils Höglander

VAN: 16:52- Brock Boeser (20th) from Quinn Hughes and Filip 

3rd Period 

VAN: 18:42- Brock Boeser (21st) from Quinn Hughes

Canucks Next Opponent

Up next for the Canucks will be a showdown with the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. This will be a special game as Vancouver is set to honour Roberto Luongo by placing him in the team's Ring of Honour. A can't-miss event; the festivities start at 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.