NHL Rink Wrap: Gaudreau hat trick; Eichel’s Buffalo return; Maple Leafs issues
There were a couple of outstanding matchups on the Thursday schedule featuring potential Stanley Cup matchups with Colorado facing Carolina and Calgary hosting Tampa Bay. Calgary ended up getting the best of the Lightning in a 4-1 win that was highlighted by a hat trick by Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau as he continues to have an outstanding season for his first place team. He now has 26 goals and 77 points in 57 games this season. Thanks to the Flames win, combined with the Vegas Golden Knights’ loss to the Buffalo Sabres and the Los Angeles’ Kings overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, the Flames now have a five point lead over the second place Kings and a nine point lead over the third place Golden Knights. They also have two games in hand on both teams. The Pacific Division looks to be theirs.
