Filip Forsberg lit the lamp eight times over a four-game run for the Nashville Predators, and became the first player in franchise history to do so.
The Predators welcomed the Calgary Flames Tuesday, and things were looking bleak for Nashville after surrendering a 4-1 lead into the second period. Forsberg stepped up with a backhanded shot for his first goal of the game, and in a span of 8:37, he had his first hat trick of the week - all before the start of the third period. Mark Giordano netted the 6-5 OT decider with a deflection that unfortunately went off Forsberg’s skate, and past Juuse Saro. Despite the unlucky bounce, Forsberg had still rightfully earned the game’s first star, and found a way to make up for it with the Colorado Avalanche in town Thursday.
In the 4-2 win, the twenty-two-year-old posted the game-tying goal, game-winner, and an empty-netter as part of back-to-back hat tricks, effectively doubling his NHL career total with his fourth. Forsberg became the first NHL player to achieve the feat in over seven years, since Alex Burrows did so on Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, 2010 with the Vancouver Canucks.
He was unsurprisingly named first star of the game once more, with linemates Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen earning second and third stars behind him.
Keeping in threes, but no hat trick this time, the Swedish winger went on to tally a goal and two assists Saturday in the Predators' 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals in the first of a back-to-back. He settled for third star of the game this time.
The Predators wrapped up their home stand Sunday by sweeping the Edmonton Oilers for the third consecutive season, winning their ninth game in a row with a 5-4 final. Forsberg was again named the game’s third star, picking up his final point of the week with his 8th goal and 10th point, leading the NHL in both categories over the week.
For a complete listing of the 2016-17 NHLPA.com Players of the Week, click here.
