Gauthier's third hat trick in eight days drives Ducks to 5-2 win

Cutter Gauthier recorded his third hat trick in eight days to help the Anaheim Ducks defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Sunday night in Anaheim, California.

The Ducks improved to five consecutive victories, becoming the first team since the 1988-89 Los Angeles Kings to score at least five goals in eight straight games. Gauthier finished the game with three goals and an assist, extending his goals streak to six games and his points streak to a career-tying eight. He has scored eight of his 13 goals in this six-game stretch, including three of his four career hat tricks.

Captain Mikael Granlund contributed a goal and three assists. His first-period goal from the slot came as a power play ended, extending his own scoring streak to six games. Jackson LaCombe recorded three assists and tied a franchise record with an assist in his 10th consecutive game. Defenseman Julien Traversier, referred to as Luneau in the report, added a power-play goal in the third period to extend his point streak to eight games. The Ducks signed the defenseman to a $43.2 million contract extension last month before his first full NHL season. Goaltender Laurent Brossoit stopped 20 shots for the fourth win in his last four starts.

Pittsburgh trailed 4-0 before Kris Letang and Rickard Rakell scored power-play goals in the third period. Letang's goal with 11:55 remaining was the first of his 21st NHL season. Evgeni Malkin recorded two assists. Arturs Silovs made 20 saves for the Penguins, who ended a four-game losing streak with a win against Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The Penguins travel to San Jose on Wednesday night. The Ducks host Nashville on Wednesday night.