Borje Salming was one of the NHL’s most productive defensemen, but most of his offense came from setting up his teammates. Of his 787 career regular-season points, 637 came on assists. On October 10, 1981, however, Salming became the finisher, recording the only hat trick of his NHL career in a wild night at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Highlights
October 10, 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens
Toronto defeated Chicago 9-8
The teams combined for 17 goals
Salming recorded 3 goals and 1 assist
It was the only hat trick of his NHL career
Bob Manno and John Anderson each had 5 points
Chicago’s Grant Mulvey also scored a hat trick
Denis Savard recorded 4 assists
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks combined for an incredible 17 goals, with Toronto coming away with a 9-8 victory. Salming finished with three goals and an assist for four points, yet that still wasn’t enough to lead the Leafs in scoring. John Anderson and defenseman Bob Manno each recorded five-point games.
Salming wasted almost no time getting started. Just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff, he scored his first goal of the 1981-82 season, beating Chicago goaltender Tony Esposito with Manno picking up the assist. Salming added his second point at 16:32 of the second period when he assisted on a Manno goal. It was the eighth of an astonishing nine goals scored by the two teams during the middle frame.
The Swedish defenseman struck even quicker to begin the third. Just 23 seconds into the period, Salming scored his second goal of the game with assists going to Rocky Saganiuk and Laurie Boschman. At 7:08, he completed the only hat trick of his NHL career, scoring with help from Manno and Ron Zanussi.
There was plenty of offense on the Chicago side as well. Grant Mulvey recorded a hat trick of his own, while Denis Savard collected four assists. The goaltending numbers reflected the frantic nature of the game: Esposito stopped 33 of 42 Toronto shots, while Leafs goalie Vincent Tremblay allowed eight goals on 28 shots.
For a Hall of Fame defenseman remembered as much for his passing and toughness as his scoring ability, October 10, 1981 was a rare night when Salming did the damage himself. Three of his 150 career NHL goals came in one remarkable game, the only hat trick of Borje Salming’s NHL career.
The King (Borje Salming)
A compelling look at the life and legacy of Borje Salming — one of hockey’s most respected trailblazers and legendary defensemen.
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