In a stunning display of skill, Steven Stamkos scored four goals in the Nashville Predators‘ impressive 7-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues on December 14, 2023. This remarkable performance marked a significant turnaround for Stamkos, who has found his scoring touch after a slow start to the season. Over the past eight games, he has netted eight goals, coinciding with the Predators’ resurgence, as they have achieved a record of 6-2 during this stretch.
Stamkos opened the scoring early in the first period, converting his own rebound on a 2-on-1 break just 8:22 into the game. He quickly followed up with a second goal, capitalizing on a rebound after a shot from Roman Josi was stopped by Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. By the second period, he completed his hat trick with a deflected shot from the high slot, and he added his fourth goal shortly thereafter, bringing the score to 6-2.
Historic Milestones and Team Momentum
This four-goal performance was the second of Stamkos’ storied 18-year career, with his first occurring on December 14, 2023, while playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He became only the fourth Predators player to score four goals in a single game, joining Filip Forsberg, Rocco Grimaldi, and Eric Nystrom on this exclusive list.
Stamkos’ achievement also highlighted his ongoing pursuit of personal milestones. With 594 goals to his name, he is on the verge of becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to reach 600 goals. He is now just seven goals shy of matching the legendary Jari Kurri. “It’s a little surreal, to be honest, when you look at the history of this league and how many great players there’s been,” he reflected on the milestone.
At 35 years old, Stamkos also became the first player of this age to score four goals in a game since Anze Kopitar achieved the feat in 2023. This performance contributed to his record of 102 career multigoal games, placing him third among active players, behind only Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.
A Season of Resilience
Stamkos has faced challenges this season, having started with only four goals in his first 22 games. His recent scoring spree has not only revitalized his personal performance but also played a crucial role in lifting the Predators from a difficult beginning to the season. Nashville, now at 12-14-4, is beginning to find its footing and inch closer to playoff contention.
“It hasn’t quite worked out the way that we wanted to in terms of the success we’ve had as a team. But we’re rolling right now,” Stamkos stated. His determination and leadership have been pivotal as the Predators aim to maintain their momentum and build on this recent success.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Stamkos can sustain this level of play and help propel the Predators into a stronger position within the league.
