Bouchard opens 2026-27 with hat trick from blue line

First by defenseman in opener since 1980

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 40m1 min read

EVAN BOUCHARD HAD HIMSELF A HISTORICAL START TO THE 2026-27 NHL SEASON! 🤯 #NHLFaceOff https://t.co/PPWn9i2XJp Via @NHL on X

What happened: Evan Bouchard scored three goals in the 2026-27 season opener. It is the first hat trick by a defenseman in an opener since 1980.

Why it matters: Defensemen rarely produce three-goal games to begin a season, making the feat a league-wide outlier. The start puts early focus on blue-line scoring as the schedule opens.

By the numbers: First defenseman hat trick in a season opener since 1980.

What to watch: Watch his production through the opening week as the schedule unfolds.

Sources

@NHL 2026-09-30T15:28:22.153673+00:00

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