Home / Sports / McDavid hat trick sparks Oilers' climb to first place
McDavid hat trick sparks Oilers' climb to first place
9 Apr
Summary
- McDavid scored his 15th career hat trick with five points.
- Oilers now hold sole possession of first place in Pacific Division.
- Sharks' playoff hopes took a major blow with the loss.
Connor McDavid was the star of the night, scoring his 15th career hat trick and accumulating five points to lead the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. This crucial win elevated the Oilers to sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division, boasting 90 points.
McDavid's offensive prowess was evident throughout the game, with goals on a power play in the first period and two more in the second. He also contributed two assists, extending his NHL-leading point total to 133. The Oilers capitalized on all three of their power-play opportunities, a notable achievement given Leon Draisaitl's recent injury.
For the San Jose Sharks, Macklin Celebrini scored his 42nd goal, reaching 108 points for the season, a mark surpassed only by Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby for teenagers. Despite this individual success, the Sharks' playoff hopes were significantly damaged by the regulation loss. They remain three points behind Nashville and two behind Los Angeles in the race for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
Goaltender Connor Ingram made eight saves for Edmonton, while Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 21 shots for San Jose. The Oilers will next face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, while the Sharks are set to visit the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
