Russia forward Vladislav Namestnikov put on an unexpected four-point performance against the Florida Panthers in Tampa Saturday, scoring a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over the Lightning.

Namestnikov came within a whisker of a rare feat of a natural hat-trick in his second stint with the Florida organization. However, his third success was separated from his first two by the break before the second engagement.

Every time he threaded the needle, someone named Corey Perry was around. The morose former Montreal Canadiens winger had three assists in the game.

Star players Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point could not be missing from the “Bolts”. They completed the mark with their only web of prep calendar.

Latvia forward Rudolfs Balcers had equalized early in the game just before Namestnikov went wild against the Panthers. Aleksi Heponiemi also beat Andrei Vasilevskiy, helped by his compatriot Anton Lundell.

Matthews and Nylander punish the Red Wings

At the Scotiabank Arena, the Detroit Red Wings quickly regretted their decision to send two inexperienced goaltenders against the big guns of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the hosts won 5-1.

Goalies Victor Brattstrom and Jussi Olkinuora stood helplessly behind Detroit’s B-Team. The first gave way three times in 11 shots, while the second suffered a loss twice in 15 times.

Auston Matthews and William Nylander kept these porters in the shadows by scoring two goals each. As usual, Mitch Marner (three assists) and Morgan Rielly (two assists) set the stage for their teammates.

Toronto’s power play was particularly devastating, taking three of his four chances in the game.

Denis Malgin scored the Leafs’ other goal. Pius Suter opened the scoring for Derek Lalonde’s team.