MTL@VGK: Danault delivers with a hatty

LAS VEGAS - Phillip Danault certainly earned the right to sport the Canadiens' Game of Thrones victory cape in Sin City on Saturday afternoon.

Danault registered his first career NHL hat trick in the Habs' 4-3 come-from-behind overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
The 25-year-old centerman scored once in the first period, added another in the second and capped things off with the game-tying goal with just 1:25 remaining in regulation time.
Then, Paul Byron scored the game-winner at the 1:59 mark of the extra frame.
Danault was ecstatic with his effort, especially after going 11 straight games without lighting the lamp before snapping that streak in style.
"It was my first game in Vegas, so "The magic happens in Vegas." The boys were all up to the task, and it was my turn to step up," said Danault, who scored his third, fourth and fifth goals of the 2018-19 campaign. "It was a good team effort. We knew it was our last game before Christmas and it's a big win for the boys."

Danault's linemates Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher were equally pleased to see him get his scoring mojo back after doing such remarkable work all season in the playmaking department.
"I'm extremely happy for Phil. He's been supplying us the whole season so far. Me and Gally felt like we should give him something. We're trying," said Tatar, who assisted on two of Danault's goals on Saturday. "He had a great night. He was playing unbelievable."
Gallagher was proud of Danault's accomplishment as well.
"He's been playing great all year. He does a lot of stuff for our team that doesn't always show up on the scoresheet. It's nice for him to get rewarded," praised Gallagher, who also picked up helpers on two of Danault's markers. "That's pretty cool, not only to score a hat trick, but the three goals he scored were pretty big goals in the game. We're all really happy for him. He's been doing the same thing he's done all year. He's been very reliable for us."

Beating Vegas in their own barn
The Golden Knights had won six straight games on their own home turf entering Saturday afternoon's tilt against the Habs.
They also owned a 13-0-1 record when leading after two periods, but the Canadiens weren't going to be denied their chance to play spoiler in Nevada.
Trailing by a goal entering the final frame, Claude Julien's group found a way to claw their way back.
"We knew that this was a solid team at home. They came close to winning the Cup last year, so they have a really good core," said Danault. "It was a big team win. There's a lot of character in this room."

There most definitely is, and the Canadiens have every right to feel good about themselves after securing four out of a possible six points away from the friendly confines of the Bell Centre.
"It's nice to go into the holidays feeling good about the group. We're in a good spot," said Gallagher. "It's time for everyone to go enjoy Christmas with their families and get back to work when we come back."
What's next?
The Canadiens will open the second half of their six-game road swing on Friday, December 28 against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise.
Then, it's off to Tampa for a game against the Lightning on December 29, before closing out the calendar year on December 31 in Dallas.