Complete List of Connor McDavid NHL Hat Tricks

Hey Oilers fans! Ever find yourself in a debate about just how many times Connor McDavid has absolutely taken over a game with a three-goal performance? Or maybe you're trying to remember the details of a specific hat trick against a rival? You're in the right place.

As the heartbeat of the Edmonton Oilers, McDavid has a knack for delivering highlight-reel moments that leave fans scrambling for their hats. Tracking all of these feats can be tricky. This guide will walk you through exactly how to find, verify, and chronicle every single one of Connor McDavid NHL hat tricks. By the end, you'll have your own complete, verified list and know exactly how to keep it updated. Let's get into it.

What You'll Need

Before we start compiling, let's get our tools ready. You won't need much, just a little time and the right resources.

A Reliable Internet Connection: This is a digital scavenger hunt.
Primary Source Access: Bookmark the official NHL.com stats page for McDavid. This is your single source of truth.
Secondary Verification Sites: Sites like Hockey-Reference.com and EliteProspects.com are fantastic for cross-referencing data and getting game logs.
A Note-Taking System: A simple spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel) is perfect. We want columns for Date, Opponent, Venue (Home/Away), Final Score, and any special notes (overtime winner, playoff game, etc.).
Oilers Insider Resources: Our own archives here at Oilers Insider, like our deep Connor McDavid stats analysis, can provide context for the seasons these hat tricks happened in.
Patience and a Keen Eye: Some hat tricks are legendary; others might be tucked into a busy game log. We’ll find them all.

How to Build Your Connor McDavid Hat Trick List

Follow these steps to create an accurate and detailed chronology of one of hockey's most exciting achievements.

Step 1: Start with the Official NHL Game Log

Head over to McDavid's player page on NHL.com. Navigate to the "Stats" section and select "Game Log." This will show you every game of his career. Now, you'll need to manually scan each season. Look for the column marked "G" (goals). Any game with a "3" or higher is your target. Click on the date of that game to get the full box score. This confirms it and gives you the opponent, score, and whether it was at Rogers Place or on the road.

Pro Tip: The NHL site sometimes highlights hat tricks in the game log with a special icon, but don't rely on that alone. Always click through for full confirmation.

Step 2: Cross-Reference with a Statistical Database

Now, take the dates you found and plug them into a site like Hockey-Reference.com. Find McDavid's player page and his game logs. Verify the goal totals match. These sites often have additional context, like the time of each goal or if the game went to overtime. This step ensures no data entry errors from the first pass.

Common Mistake: Missing a game because you're scrolling too fast. The game logs are long! Take it one season at a time. Start with his rookie year (2015-16) and work forward methodically.

Step 3: Categorize and Add Context

This is where your list goes from good to great. In your spreadsheet, create a "Notes" column. For each hat trick, ask:
Was it at home or away? Throwing hats on home ice at Rogers Place is a special vibe.
Was it a playoff hat trick? Goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs carry immense weight. Be sure to tag these.
Did it include an overtime winner? Talk about clutch.
Who were the primary helpers? Often, you'll see Leon Draisaitl or a key power play setup.
What was the narrative? Was it a statement game against a Western Conference rival? Did it secure a scoring title?

For example, a hat trick in a crucial April game to clinch a playoff spot tells a different story than one in an October game against a non-conference team.

Step 4: Verify Special Circumstances

A true hat trick means three goals scored in one game. However, the hockey world sometimes celebrates the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" (a goal, an assist, and a fight). McDavid isn't known for the latter! Stick to the traditional definition. Also, confirm the goals weren't all empty-netters (though with his speed, those count too!). The official box score is final.

Pro Tip: Use our analysis of Oilers playoff runs with McDavid to add rich context to any postseason hat tricks you find. It helps explain why that performance was so monumental.

Step 5: Format and Present Your Final List

Organize your spreadsheet in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For a published list, like this one, you'd then translate that into an easy-to-read format. Group them by season, and consider adding brief, conversational commentary for the most memorable ones.

For instance:
> "March 22, 2023 vs. Arizona Coyotes: A classic mid-season domination. McDavid scored his third goal just 15 seconds into the third period, showcasing that breathtaking acceleration we've seen all season on his way to another Art Ross Trophy."

This turns dry data into a story, which is what being a fan is all about.

Step 6: Maintain and Update the List

McDavid isn't done. Bookmark your sources and set a calendar reminder to check his game log every few weeks during the season, especially after a multi-goal game. Update your spreadsheet immediately when a new hat trick is confirmed. It's a living document!

Common Mistake: Forgetting to check playoff games. The intensity of the postseason can produce legendary performances. After any Oilers playoff win where McDavid scores twice, be on high alert for the potential for a third in the next game.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Double-Check the "G" Column: It sounds simple, but in a sea of numbers, it's easy to gloss over a "3."
Beware of Preseason Games: Your search will only include regular season and playoff games. Preseason stats are kept separate and do not count toward official totals.
Context is King: Anyone can list dates. The value is in the story. Did the hat trick spark a comeback? Was it against a Vezina-winning goalie? Did it happen during a Hart Trophy campaign? Mentioning that Stuart Skinner got the win in net or that Kris Knoblauch praised the effort post-game adds color.
Use Synonyms Naturally: When writing, mix it up. Instead of "McDavid did this..." try "The Oilers captain did this..." or "Number 97 found the back of the net..." It reads better.
Link to Related Analysis: When discussing a hat trick from a season where he won the scoring title, link to a piece like our Connor McDavid assist leader analysis. It helps readers dive deeper.

Your Connor McDavid Hat Trick Checklist Summary

Here’s a quick recap of the entire process. Use this as your action plan:

• Bookmark Primary Sources: NHL.com stats page for McDavid is your #1 stop.


• Set Up Your Tracker: Create a spreadsheet with Date, Opponent, Venue, Score, and Notes columns.


• Scan Official Game Logs: Manually review every game log on NHL.com from 2015-16 onward, flagging games with 3+ goals.


• Cross-Reference Data: Verify each flagged game on Hockey-Reference or a similar stats site.


• Enrich with Context: For each hat trick, note if it was home/away, in the playoffs, included an OT winner, or had notable assists (e.g., from Draisaitl).


• Verify Authenticity: Confirm all three goals were in one game (no preseason) and check for any unique circumstances.


• Organize Your List: Order entries from most recent to oldest for the final presentation.


• Write with Flair: Translate the data into engaging descriptions, weaving in team and league narrative.


• Plan for Updates: Schedule periodic check-ins during the NHL season to add new entries to your list.

By following this guide, you won't just have a list; you'll have a documented history of some of the most electrifying individual performances in modern hockey. Now, go forth and chronicle the greatness of Connor McDavid. The next time hats rain down on the ice at Rogers Place, you'll be ready to add another entry to your definitive list.