Veteran defenseman John Carlson finally recorded his first career hat trick Thursday, propelling the 6-1 rout of the San Jose Sharks. The 36‑year‑old, who logged 1,156 regular‑season games and 137 playoff contests before the milestone, celebrated the third defenseman hat trick in Ducks history and the first since 2018.

Carlson’s three goals arrived in the third period, each on a heavy slap shot, with the final tally striking the ice at 5:57 left and igniting a brief hat‑trick celebration on the Honda Center boards. The surge snapped a six‑game losing streak, lifted Anaheim to third in the Pacific, and narrowed the gap to Edmonton, keeping the Ducks in the playoff hunt with three games remaining.

Since arriving at the trade deadline, Carlson has contributed 12 points in 13 games and revitalised a power play that had gone 1‑for‑15 in the previous stretch. Teammate Leo Carlsson praised his poise and shooting from the point, while coach Joel Quenneville highlighted Carlson’s play‑recognition as a missing piece. With the Ducks sitting on 89 points, Carlson’s offense now anchors their bid for a 15th postseason appearance.