St. Louis Blues Top 10 Moments Of 2018-19 NHL Playoffs
By Todd Panula
8. Jaden Schwartz natural hat-trick Game 6 vs Winnipeg
Jaden Schwartz was the ultimate enigma when it came to the 2018-19 season. He entered the year as one of the guys the team was depending on for some big numbers.
He ended the 2018-19 regular season with some really disappointing numbers. Whether it was injury or being too far in his own head, Schwartz ended the regular season with just 11 goals and a career low – for a full season – of 39 points.
Schwartz had regularly been a 20-goal scorer and many thought this was the year he would break out and hit 30. Instead, he went the other way.
Despite a few flashes toward the end of the year, nobody was expecting what he did against Winnipeg. But, it was more than welcome.
After a big night two nights earlier, which we will get to, Schwartz came alive in the final game against the Winnipeg Jets. He busted out for three goals to finish off Winnipeg and they all came in a row, giving him an even rarer sight for the natural hat trick.
Adding to it all, Schwartz managed to score one goal in each of the three periods. He wasted little time potting that first one either, giving the team a much needed cushion in an elimination game.
It was not a very pretty goal, but they all count and it was intensely important to get one that early. It was somewhat lucky, since the goaltender should have had the initial shot by Brayden Schenn, but Schwartz showed playoff moxie by being in the right spot to clean up the garbage.
The second goal was just as nice, if not better than the first based on how it came. Schwartz had a couple cracks at it, but finally put it home on the second attempt.
The Blues were doing a great job of cycling the puck and had the Jets on their heels before the puck came back to Schwartz. The second time, he waited just a moment and then wristed it in for the score.
The third goal was most deserving of a hat trick. This time, it was fit for the highlight reels as 17 gave the Blues a 3-0 lead.
As you saw, the suddenly energized scorer made a great move to cut back to the middle past a diving defender. Then, it was all about elevating the puck and putting that third goal to bed.
Unfortunately, the Blues would end up needing all three goals as they allowed the Jets to score the next two. Little of that was on Schwartz though as he had done his job in securing that first round win over Winnipeg.