Top-5: first career hat trick for Leo Carlsson

Last night in the National Hockey League, 12 teams were in action, with six games on the schedule.

Well, here’s what caught our eye.

1. Leo Carlsson scores his first career hat trick

Many fans and analysts were surprised when the Anaheim Ducks selected Swede Leo Carlsson second overall in the last draft ahead of Adam Fantilli.

Fantilli was usually taken second overall, but the Ducks decided to take a different route.

And let’s just say that, so far, the Ducks can be very proud of their choice.

Indeed, Carlsson is playing some excellent hockey right now in his rookie season, even scoring three goals yesterday, his first career hat trick, in a 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

First career hat trick for @leocarlsson7!!!

This kid’s pretty freaking good.

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/6G5DassoKG

– NHL (@NHL) November 11, 2023

Carlsson now has six goals and one assist, for a total of seven points in nine games.

2. Max Domi helps Maple Leafs avoid the worst

As my colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois explained yesterday morning, the Leafs aren’t getting off to the kind of start expected of them.

Having the same record (6-5-2) as a rebuilding Montreal Canadiens is clearly not what the Leafs want.

Last night, the Leafs had the opportunity to improve their record, as they took on a hard-hitting Calgary Flames team at home.

The Leafs did really well in the first half, taking a 4-1 lead.

It looked like the game was over, but not so fast – we’re talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So, of course, Sheldon Keefe’s team turned a simple, easy game into a complicated, stressful one by letting the Flames come from behind.

The game went into overtime (which was very exciting), before going to a shootout.

In the end, it was Max Domi who settled the debate and gave the Leafs victory, scoring the only goal of the shootout.

MAX DOMI scored the 1st goal of his career in the shootout on his 10th attempt… and it turned out to be the winning goal for the Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/PhIsB6ICV2

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 11, 2023

It was Domi’s first goal in a Leafs uniform, as he has just seven assists in 14 games.

In the win, William Nylander scored twice, extending his point streak to 14 games.

He has nine goals and 12 assists in 14 games, making him the Leafs’ leading scorer and fourth in the entire NHL.

The Swede could become a free agent at the end of the season.

3. Nicolas Aubé-Kubel scores his first goal of the season in his first game

Yesterday afternoon, the Capitals recalled Quebecer Nicolas Aubé-Kubel from their Hershey Bears training camp.

Aubé-Kubel, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, played his first NHL game of the season last night.

Well, he wasted no time in making his presence felt, as he scored the game’s first goal.

The 27-year-old forward also added an assist in the Capitals’ 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.

4. Uvis Balinskis scores his first NHL goal

Sorry, who?

Yes, I know, I had the same reaction last night when I saw this name appear as a scorer on the NHL application for the Florida Panthers.

Balinskis is a 27-year-old Latvian defenseman who signed a one-year contract this summer with the Florida Panthers after a solid season in the Czech league, with 35 points (11 goals and 24 assists) in 50 games.

Well, last night, in his 11th game of the season, Balinskis earned his first career NHL point, scoring the Panthers’ second goal in a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Check out the SAUCE here to set up Uvis Balinskis for his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/JN2nnjNvLK

– NHL (@NHL) November 11, 2023

In defeat, Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his sixth goal of the season, bringing his point total this season to 13 in 14 games.

Kotkaniemi opens the scoring in Florida! pic.twitter.com/vskddbamj8

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 11, 2023

I’d like to remind you that the Canadiens’ leading scorer, Cole Caufield, also has 13 points.

5. Sharks’ winning streak halted at two

After a two-game anomaly, the San Jose Sharks came back to reality yesterday, losing 5-0 to the mighty Vegas Golden Knights.

It’s pretty hard to contain @jackeichel.

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/nXS3aDJYY1

– NHL (@NHL) November 11, 2023

Knights goaltender Adin Hill recorded a 20-save shutout, adding to his excellent start to the season.

HOLY HILL! pic.twitter.com/xrcIuCeNI6

– Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 11, 2023

It’s his second shutout of the season, and seventh of his career.

Overtime

– Here are yesterday’s results.

– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.

– Today’s NHL schedule: 12 games.