Tyler Johnson Nets a Hat Trick for History

The Tampa Bay Lightning evened their Eastern Conference series against the New York Rangers 1-1, but the main story out of Madison Square Garden was the hat trick scored by Tyler Johnson. Much has been written about his undrafted status, his rise through the WHL and AHL to land a Calder Trophy nomination in his NHL rookie season and excel in his excellent sophomore year.

Now he has made history again.

Shorthanded goal ✅ Power-play goal ✅ Even-strength goal ✅ Making franchise history ✅ pic.twitter.com/ZiD8cvxxqb

— 7 – @TBLightning (@TBLightning) May 19, 2015

Yes, that is three goals three different ways, which is only the fourth time in the past 25 years (Claude Giroux in 2012, Johan Franzen in 2008 and Mario Lemieux in 1996) that has happened. What had never happened before was a hat trick in Lightning post-season history, which is now a reality thanks to Johnson.

He was also recognized as the first player to pot a hat trick at Madison Square Garden since 1997, when Eric Lindros did the honors as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here are all three goals again.

Johnson also broke another franchise record last night. The previous Tampa Bay Lightning record for most points in a post-season was shared jointly by Ruslan Fedotenko and Brad Richards, who both reached 12 points in 2004. However, Tyler Johnson jumped to 11 goals and five assists after last night’s performance, smashing the record with 16 points thus far.