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Connor McDavid hat trick lifts Oilers over Predators: Recap, Reaction and Highlights
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 7, 2026, 00:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 7, 2026, 00:05 EST
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The Edmonton Oilers are back in the win column.
On Tuesday evening, the Oilers hosted the Nashville Predators for the first time this season, beating the Central Division team by a score of 6-2 to move them to 21-16-6 for the season. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one!
Midway through the first period, it was the Oilers that opened the scoring. Connor McDavid entered the zone on a power play late, receiving a pass from Evan Bouchard. Like he’s done throughout most of the season, McDavid did McDavid things, embarrassing both Ryan O’Reilly and Juuse Saros to slide it into the back of the net.
The score remained 1-0 for the Oilers for quite a while, but the floodgates opened in the final four minutes of the second period. First off, McDavid drew a penalty shot, and on it, he outwaited Saros before pulling the puck to his forehand and roofing it, making it 2-0 for the Oilers.
Just 22 seconds later, the Oilers made it 3-0. Mattias Janmark forced a turnover in the offensive zone, with Curtis Lazar picking up the puck. He attempted to find Matthew Savoie down low, but the rookie’s deflection was stopped. After a few bounces, the puck landed on Lazar’s stick for his third of the season. This was the game-winner.
With just 68 seconds left in the second period, the Oilers made it 4-0. Leon Draisaitl found Kasperi Kapanen in the slot, and despite a strong backcheck from O’Reilly that forced the Finn to fan on it, Kapanen potted his first of the season.
It looked as if the Oilers were going to coast to a victory, but the Predators did make it a game in the third, at least briefly. Four minutes into the final frame, Connor Ingram stopped the initial shot from the point, but O’Reilly was right on the doorstep to bang in the rebound.
The Predators cut the lead in half just 16 seconds later, as Nick Blankenburg’s shot from the point beat Ingram who had a heavy screen in front of him. Thankfully, the comeback attempt was cut short, as Kapanen found a streaking Draisaitl for a breakaway, with the German beating Saros with a quick shot. That made it 5-2 with a little over six minutes left in the game.
In the final minute of the third period, the longest-tenured Oiler hit a milestone. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a nice little give and go with McDavid, as the Oilers captain picked up his third of the game. More importantly, Nugent-Hopkins picked up his 500th assist on this goal.

Takeaways…

In the final minute of the third period, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up an assist. That was a pretty significant assist, as it was the longest-tenured Oilers’ 500th assist in his 993rd game. Only fitting that it was on Connor McDavid’s hat trick goal.
McDavid extended his point streak to 16 games, scoring his 15th hat trick of his career. He also received the eighth penalty shot of his career, beating Saros to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead at that point. Over those 16 games, McDavid has 17 goals and 39 points. The longest point streak of his career is 17, which he did twice.
Leon Draisaitl had his strongest game since the holiday break, scoring a goal and picking up two assists. Not too surprising, as he has dominated the Predators throughout his career
Welcome back, Kasperi Kapanen. The Finnish winger hadn’t dressed in a game since Oct. 19, a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He was immediately noticeable and played well alongside Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin. Kapanen may not stick there for the rest of the season, but he will boost bottom six scoring. It’s good to have him back in the lineup.
Entering this game, Podkolzin had been held pointless in his last eight games, along with being a -7. He got off the schneid with two assists, giving him nine goals and 18 points in 43 games this season. Somehow, both he and Matthew Savoie went cold shortly after the rookie was demoted to the bottom six.
Well, Savoie also picked up an assist in this game. Coming into it, he had one point in his last eight, so it’s good to see him get on the scoreboard as well. He played alongside Jack Roslovic and Ike Howard in the third period, with the trio finishing their six minutes of five-on-five ice time with six shots on net. No doubt these three will start the next game together.
It was a nice bounce-back game from Connor Ingram. In his last start, he gave up six goals on 29 shots, as his save percentage dipped below .900 for the season. On Tuesday, Ingram stopped 24 of 26 shots for a .923 save percentage, the fourth game this season he’s had a save percentage above .900.
Mattias Janmark picked up an assist, stealing the puck on the third goal. He had a solid game, also getting a chance on the penalty kill. Adam Henrique had just two shifts in this game, totalling 2:26 of ice time. Not sure what happened to him.
With the win, the Oilers remain in a tie with the Vegas Golden Knights for the most points at the top of the Pacific Division. They now have a 21-16-6 record, with two fewer games played than the Golden Knights.
Up next for the Oilers is a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets on the road. That game is on Thursday at 6:00 PM MT. Good win.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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