Congrats to The Perfect Human!

It's hard to believe he's gone this long without one, but St. Nick got his first ever hat trick tonight.  Here's Sean Leahy, writing at Wyshynski's place:

No. 1 Star: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

In his 1442nd game, Lidstrom recorded his first NHL hat trick, along with an assist, during a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Lidstrom has 19 career two-goal games and finished his first hat trick with an empty netter with 30 seconds remaining in the game. Henrik Zetterberg had a hand in each of Lidstrom's goals and finished with four assists on the night. Danny Cleary had a three-point night, including his team-leading 14th goal of the season.

I listened to the game on my Very Expensive Radio and was amazed to hear this was Lidstrom's first-ever hat trick.  Somehow I thought he'd done it before... but no.  Not bad for a 40 year old six-time-Norris-winning defenseman, eh?

Tonight's game was MUCH better than that 5-0 debacle against the Kings Monday night.  How any team can put 51 shots on goal and still get shut out... let alone the freakin' Wings, at HOME... remains something of a mystery to me.  But it is what it is, and tonight's game was a great way to rebound from an embarrassing loss.