Feb 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) moves the puck ahead of Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) during the third period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

nhl

Barrett Hayton’s Hat Trick Makes History, but Utah Falls to Kings

Hayton records Utah Hockey Club’s first-ever hat trick, but the Kings' late surge hands Utah a 5-3 defeat in a crucial playoff push.

Barrett Hayton gave it everything he had, battling in front of the net and capitalizing on rebounds to record his first career hat trick. It is a historic moment for the Utah Hockey Club. His three-goal effort on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was also the first hat trick in franchise history. However, despite his heroics, Utah couldn’t complete the comeback and fell 5-3.

Hayton, known for his ability to create space around the crease, scored all three of his goals by fighting for position near the net. His first goal came on the power play in the opening period, tipping in a shot from Nick Schmaltz at 7:54 to give Utah an early lead. After missing the start of the season with a broken ankle, Doughty made a strong return to action. Fresh off winning the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team Canada, he wasted no time making an impact. Just 26 seconds after Barrett Hayton put Utah on the board, Doughty responded with the game-tying goal. The veteran defenseman continued his impressive night, notching his 16th career game with at least three points.

Utah regained control in the second period, once again thanks to Hayton’s presence in front of the net. With the team on the power play, he pounced on a loose puck from a Schmaltz shot and buried it, putting Utah up 2-1 at 5:50. With Logan Cooley sidelined due to a lower-body injury, Hayton stepped up on the first power-play unit, delivering two crucial goals on the man advantage.

BARRETT HAYTON FIRST CAREER HAT TRICK AND FIRST HAT TRICK IN UTAH HC HISTORY 🚨🎩 pic.twitter.com/kKFV8x18zp
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 23, 2025

However, Utah struggled to hold the lead as the Kings responded with three unanswered goals. Kevin Fiala tied the game 2-2 with a one-timer on the power play at 7:59 of the second period. Later in the frame, Alex Laferriere put the Kings ahead by finishing off a rush with a slick backhand past Utah goaltender Connor Ingram. Then, in the third period, Salt Lake City native Trevor Lewis extended LA’s lead to 4-2 with a goal at 9:41.

Hayton wasn’t done yet. At 11:00 of the third period, he completed his hat trick, once again fighting for position in front of the net and knocking in a rebound to bring Utah within one. The crowd witnessed history, but Utah couldn’t capitalize on the momentum. The Kings sealed the game with an empty-net goal from Mikey Anderson at 18:30, ending Utah’s hopes of a comeback.

Despite the loss, there was some positive news for Utah, as defenseman Sean Durzi made his return to the lineup after missing 52 games due to shoulder surgery. He wasted no time making an impact, assisting on Hayton’s third goal while logging 21:37 of ice time, taking four shots, and blocking two.

Utah won’t have much time to dwell on the defeat, as they return home for a crucial matchup on Sunday night against the Vancouver Canucks. Sitting six points out of a playoff spot, every game counts for Utah, and they’ll need another strong performance as they try to climb the standings in the Western Conference.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Barrett Hayton

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!