Doughty hoped before the 4 Nations Face-off that the intensity and rigorous pace of best-on-best international hockey would help him get up to speed after such an extended absence, and the initial returns were positive.
“It was really good for Drew,” Hiller said. “I think it certainly looked like it worked out well for Team Canada. But I think, in the end, we’re probably the biggest benefactors, just getting him back in the rhythm that he is in.”
Hayton made it 2-1 at 5:50 of the second period, shooting another rebound by Schmaltz into an open net.
Fiala tied it up 2-2 at 7:59 on a one-timer from the right circle.
Laferriere gave Los Angeles a 3-2 lead at 16:10. He chased down Doughty’s long bouncing clearance to score on a breakaway with a backhand.
“I was gassed,” Doughty said. “Honestly, I did not see ‘Laf’ at all, so that was lucky.”
Trevor Lewis made it 4-2 at 9:41 of the third period, getting to the slot and backhanding in a rebound by Jordan Spence.
Hayton got his hat trick when he was alone under the left circle and swept Michael Carcone’s rebound into an open net, cutting it to 4-3 at 11:00. It was Hayton’s first career hat trick and fifth multi-goal game in 266 NHL appearances.
“I like the fact he got rewarded,” Utah head coach Andre Tourigny said. “We often talk about how much ‘Haytes’ plays the right way, he does everything right on and off the ice, has the right attitude, competes so hard. You cannot not cheer for him so really happy for him.”
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