Craig Smith hits jackpot in Vegas with hat trick, Bruins win

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Craig Smith scored three goals and the Boston Bruins beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 on Thursday night.

It was Smith’s third career hat trick and second with the Bruins. It’s the third consecutive season he's recorded a hat trick and it marked the first time he netted three goals in a road game.

"Anytime you can pop three it’s great," Smith said. "It’s great here, and obviously road wins are huge, too, and special with the team. But anytime you can get three you’ll take them."

The Bruins improved to 4-1-0 on their six-game road trip, and 9-3-2 in their last 14 away from home. Overall they’ve won six of their last seven games as they inch closer to third-place Toronto in the Atlantic Division.

David Pastrnak scored twice for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 34 shots.

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Boston Bruins center Craig Smith (12) shoots to score his third goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Pastrnak’s 23 goals since Jan. 1 lead the NHL. In that same span, the Bruins have the second-most points with 40, behind Colorado.

Boston got points from eight different skaters, including a total of seven points from the third line of Smith (3), Trent Frederic (3) and Charlie Coyle (1).

"That’s why our record is what it is I think this stretch of games because we’ve got different people involved," coach Bruce Cassidy said.

Vegas, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in eight games and continues to miss offensive stars Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. The Golden Knights have been held to two or fewer goals in five of those