Brady Tkachuk scored a natural hat trick, and Matthew Tkachuk assisted on all three goals as the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The victory snapped the Florida Panthers’ two-game skid. It also produced a historic performance for the Tkachuk brothers and several franchise milestones.
The Panthers trailed 1-0 after the first period before scoring four times in the second. Brady Tkachuk scored three goals in an 8:03 span, becoming the eighth player in Florida Panthers history to record a natural hat trick. His three goals were the fourth player’s first three goals with the team scored in the same game, and he finished with four points after adding an assist.
A historic connection between the Tkachuk brothers
Matthew Tkachuk assisted on each of Brady Tkachuk’s goals, making the game the first in NHL history in which a player’s sibling assisted on every goal of a natural hat trick. The hat trick was the third-fastest three-goal performance by a Florida Panthers skater, behind Noel Acciari and Steve Reinprecht. Brady Tkachuk said Matthew’s assist on the opening goal helped start the sequence.
“It was a great play by Matthew to kind of get the ball rolling there,” Brady Tkachuk said. “Wanted to keep going and I thought we just got better and better as game went on.”
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice pointed to the brothers’ established chemistry. “I’ve liked his game,” Maurice said. “There’s some chemistry there. He and his brother played together their whole lives as kids, and there’s something there for sure.”
Matthew Tkachuk sets franchise assist record
Matthew Tkachuk recorded five assists, including four in the second period. The four-assist period set a Florida Panthers franchise record, while the five-assist performance was the second of his career. That made him the third U.S.-born player in NHL history to record multiple five-assist games.
Matthew Tkachuk also recorded his 21st career four-point game, moving past Patrick Kane and Joe Pavelski for the fourth most by a U.S.-born player. Pat LaFontaine, Jeremy Roenick and Joe Mullen remained ahead of him on that list. Together, Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk became the third set of brothers in the past 40 years to each record at least four points in the same game.
The brothers’ combined nine points marked the first time a pair of brothers reached that total as teammates since Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin did so in 2015. Brady Tkachuk said the performance was something he had dreamed about. “It’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s something that of course you kind of always dream of happening.”
Florida Panthers receive additional four-point performances
Seth Jones recorded four assists in the victory, joining the Tkachuk brothers in a major offensive performance. Jones, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk became the first trio of Florida Panthers teammates to each record four points in the same game since Jan. 31, 2022. It was only the third such trio in franchise history.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice as the Panthers completed their seven-goal performance. He also praised the chemistry between the Tkachuk brothers. “It’s fun to watch the Tkachuk brothers play together,” Verhaeghe said. “They have some pretty good chemistry. They’ve been great.”
Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk also shared a post-goal hug during the game. “I think my mom was more happy about the big hug celebration,” Brady Tkachuk said. “She commented on that.”
FSB Take
The Florida Panthers turned a 1-0 deficit into a 7-3 victory by scoring four times in the second period. Brady Tkachuk’s natural hat trick supplied the defining moment, while Matthew Tkachuk’s five assists and Seth Jones’ four assists extended the offensive impact across the lineup.
The result ended the Panthers’ two-game skid and delivered a rare combination of team and family milestones. The Tkachuk brothers’ nine combined points and the trio of four-point performances by Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones made the win one of the most notable games of the Florida Panthers’ season.
Source: Original report