A SPECIAL HAT TRICK FOR RICHARD MARTIN

When the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on March 27, 1976, at Maple Leaf Gardens, it was Buffalo's French Connection Line - Perreault-Martin-Robert -  that caused all the damage.

Late in the third period, the Sabres, on two goals by Richard Martin and one from Gilbert Perreault, held a 3-2 lead over Toronto. Their victory was clinched when Martin scored an empty net goal.

"Although Perreault had a good shot at the open net, he relayed to Martin to give him his seventh three-goal game of the season," wrote Frank Orr of Martin's third marker.

As a result of Perreault's unselfish act, Richard Martin was able to tie an NHL record with his seventh hat trick of the season.

At the time, Martin shared the record with Cy Denneny (Ottawa), Joe Malone (Montreal), and Phil Esposito (Boston).

The National Hockey League record for three or more goal games is held by Wayne Gretzky with 10. He set the mark in 1981-82, and matched it in 1983-84.