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Filip Forsberg’s Second Straight Hat Trick Lifts Predators To 4-2 Win Over Avalanche

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Predators defeated the Flyers 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Filip Forsberg recorded his second consecutive hat trick for the Nashville Predators in a 4-2 home victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Filip Forsberg Has Hat Trick In Predators’ 4-2 Win vs Avalanche

Forsberg had a hat trick in the Predators’ previous game, Tuesday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. The 22-year-old Swede is the first NHL player to score three goals in consecutive games since Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows on Jan. 5 and 7, 2010.

“I just try to attack the game,” said Forsberg, who has four NHL hat tricks and his nicknamed ‘Scoresberg’ by his teammates. “I think our line did a good job of that today. Just try to play fast and go forward and obviously try to find each other. I think we got a couple of goals and a couple of good looks earlier than that as well.”

The left winger now has a team-high 22 goals, with five of those combined in his last two second periods.

The Predators (29-22-9) tied the St. Louis Blues for third place in the Central Division with 67 points.

The Avalanche (16-40-3) have lost three straight and eight of their last nine games (1-7-1).

Viktor Arvidsson gave Nashville a 1-0 lead at 11:31 of the first period on a one-timer from the slot. Forward Craig Smith got the assist, and Arvidsson beat Smith for his 19th goal.

Colorado’s Jarome Iginla tied it 1-1 at 17:52 of the first on a redirection from in front of the net.

Patrick Wiercioch gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead at 2:34 of the second period on a backhand shot.

Forsberg tied it 2-2 at 5:26 of the second. He tracked down a loose puck and beat Jeremy Smith above the shoulder for his 20th goal. Smith started the second game of his career.

“It’s tough to explain,” Forsberg said. “Sometimes it feels great but you don’t score, and sometimes you feel bad but you still score. Tonight was a lot of fun.”

He scored the next two goals. First, at 10:59 of the second, his shot went off Smiths’ glove and into the net. Then, Forsberg scored an empty-net goal with 36.5 seconds left in the third period.

Forsberg is tied with Steve Sullivan for the most hat tricks in Predators history.

”He’s definitely a gifted player,” Nashville center Ryan Johansen said of his linemate Forsberg. ”Every night is a privilege to play with those guys. He keeps impressing me and I’m sure everyone else watching. He’s really an elite player, and he’s a huge part of this organization and this hockey club if we’re going to be successful.”

The Avalanche next host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, when the Predators host the Washington Capitals.

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 19: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Predators defeated the Flyers 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.