Sep 11, 2025
Mike Gartner’s First Hat Trick: December 1, 1979 🎩🎩🎩
Before he became one of the NHL’s most prolific scorers, Mike Gartner was struggling to find the net. But against the Quebec Nordiques in December 1979, he broke through in spectacular fashion.
The Washington Capitals exploded for five goals in the third period of a 7-2 win, with Gartner scoring three of them on just four shots. Teammate Wes Jarvis assisted on all three and added one himself.
That night was just the beginning. Gartner went on to score 708 career goals, 8th most in NHL history, and became a Hall of Famer in 2001.