Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome texted his wife, Tayler, before facing the New York Islanders on Tuesday, promising to score a goal for his late dog, Wrigley, who passed away suddenly three years ago to the date.
He didn't just score one; he picked up three for his third career hat trick and his first as a Capital and dedicated each tally to his beloved late golden retriever and forever friend.
"When you become a family and you get a dog, and he passes really young, it's tough," Strome said postgame. Obviously, it was a tough moment for our family, and today happened to be the day he passed away three years ago. They say dogs are a man's best friend, and I really felt that. It's nice to know, I know he was watching me tonight."
Strome completed the hat trick with an empty-netter after getting the call from coach Spencer Carbery to go out on the ice and help secure the victory at 5-on-6, a role that he said the 28-year-old has earned this season.
"He's done a lot for this team, so he deserves it and he's earned to be in that spot to try to get that hat trick and seal a win for us at that point of the season," Carbery said.
With the hat trick, Strome set a new career high with 29 goals and also hit the 80-point mark for the first time in his career. He has 81 points in 81 games this season, the most on the Capitals.
Washington won 3-1 and has one more game left on the regular season circuit before the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Strome sits one goal away from hitting the 30-goal mark and has the chance to hit that milestone on Thursday against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.