Vanek Watch: Load Up On Hats!

Photo: Darlo Ayala/Montreal Gazette

After going scoreless in his first five games as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, Thomas Vanek took to the ice last night to end his drought and get the first goal behind him.

At the 7:44 mark of the second period, Vanek finally found the twine, as he beat JS Giguere (one wouldn't really say he beat Giguere given the amount of net Vanek had to shoot at) for his first goal with Montreal.

But Vanek did not stop there. As the Habs and Avs went late into the third period tied at three, Vanek was given another opportunity to score when his club took to the power play.

Giving the Habs a late 4-3 lead with two goals was a good night's work for Thomas, right? Wrong. Why have two goals, when you can have three?

The hat trick was Vanek's ninth in the NHL Nine. In the 13 year history of the Minnesota Wild, there have only been 16 hat tricks (Ryan Suter snapped a four year drought in that department back in January). Getting Vanek this summer, would obviously give the Wild a huge boost in the hat trick column.

So between now and the beginning of next season, you better load up on hats, because they will be flying when Thomas Vanek shows up.

Vanek Watch is an ongoing series on the Team of 18,001 for the 2013-14 season.

Follow Giles on Twitter @gilesferrell