Nico Hischier's First Career Hat Trick Leads Devils To 5-2 Victory Over Predators

In the span of 13 minutes and five seconds, New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier scored three goals to give his team a 4-1 lead over the Nashville Predators and celebrate his first career NHL hat trick.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Chants of "N-I-C-O" echoed throughout Prudential Center as 16,514 fans cheered on their captain as hats made their way onto the ice.

He dominated the middle frame of Monday night's game. The Swiss center scored his first goal 3:52 into the frame. He found the back of the net again at the halfway mark while his team was on the power play. The hat trick was completed with three minutes remaining in the period.

After two periods and 11 minutes of ice time, Hischier had three goals on four shots and was 8-for-12 in the face-off circle.

Erik Haula and Justin Dowling scored the team's other two goals, while goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 19 saves on 21 shots to secure the victory.

After the game, Hischier met MSG Networks host Rachel Herzog for his on-ice interview. As cheers erupted around him, the captain took a moment and embraced his surroundings.

"During my interview, I was trying to take a second and soak it in a bit," he told reporters. "It was awesome. It is a game I will never forget in my life."

He became the first Swiss-born player to record a natural hat trick.

"Definitely feels good," Hischier said after the game. "Had a couple of two-goal games in my career, and somehow (this) last one went in. I don't know how because I want to go up, but I will take it, for sure."

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe has been complimentary of Hischier since training camp and continued to speak highly of his captain Monday night.

"I think his priorities are really in order. He starts the season on absolute fire and goes cold for a while," Keefe said. "His demeanor didn't change. His game didn't change, most importantly. He didn't cheat the game. He continued to meet the tough matchups every night head-on. [...] He had confidence the goals would come back again, and here we are, three in a period."

Per NHL PR, "Nico Hischier became the fourth player in franchise history to record a natural hat trick in a single period, joining Brian Gionta (Oct. 12, 2006), Stephane Richer (Mar. 29, 1993), and Paul Stastny (Dec. 29, 1991).

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Related: Nico Hischier Valued By Devils Teammates

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog

Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale

Related: Nico Hischier Continuing To Showcase Why He's The Heart & Soul of Devils