The Edmonton Oilers recovered from a two-game skid in a 5-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Wednesday. The Oilers still await the X in the standings, and in their recent game against the Sharks, the team displayed an unparalleled hunger to make the playoffs.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid delivered one of his best performances of late, scoring five points and paving the way for a spectacular win for Edmonton.
Connor McDavid Steals the Show With a Hat Trick Against the San Jose Sharks
The Oilers entered the arena on Wednesday bearing the brunt of two consecutive losses to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Utah Mammoth. Edmonton is already compromised, playing without Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman. Their absence is bound to take a toll on the Oilers’ offense, especially the power play. Consequently, the rest of the team had to step in to fill their shoes.
McDavid had previously emphasized the importance of simply qualifying for the playoffs. The Oilers captain refused to attach much importance to seeding and positioning at this time, stating that the priority remains on making the postseason. In the showdown against San Jose, the 29-year-old channeled his infinite hockey wisdom and skills to score three goals and two assists, enabling the Oilers to get past their two-game losing streak.
The Oilers-Sharks battle was a milestone game in McDavid’s career. With his latest hat trick, the Ontario native now has 15 in his career.
The standout center also has 133 points this season, the second most in his career, right after the legendary 2022-23 season, when he scored 153 points in 82 games. The 2022-23 season paved the way for McDavid to win multiple awards, including the Art Ross, Hart Memorial, Ted Lindsay, and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies.
McDavid now at 3-2-5.
His 15th career hat trick.
And his 14th five-point game. (Career high is six).
He now has 133 points which is second most in his career.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 9, 2026
While McDavid owned the night with his five-point feat, Evan Bouchard also put up a show worth remembering. The defenseman had two points against the Sharks, bringing his total to 91 points in 79 games this season. The 26-year-old is the 13th defenseman in NHL history to score 90 points in a season.
Bouchard has been a highly polarizing figure in the league, with many claiming that he is just not doing enough to strengthen Edmonton’s defense. While it is true that he is an offense-forward defenseman who might occasionally come off as lazy on the ice, Bouchard has simply gone above and beyond all expectations this season, making the case for him as a worthy Norris Trophy candidate all the more pressing.
