Dec 16, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

MCDAVID NETS FOUR GOALS, FIVE POINTS IN OILERS VICTORY
Facing the League-leading Lightning, Connor McDavid (4-1—5) netted his third career hat trick and first career four-goal game to power the Oilers to victory in the finale of a five-game homestand (3-1-1). McDavid became the 11th different player to register five points in a game this season (Mathew Barzal has two such outings) and just the third to score four goals in one contest in 2017-18.

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McDavid, who also recorded five points on Feb. 11, 2016 vs. TOR (2-3—5), is the only Oilers player since the start of 1990-91 to record multiple games of 5+ points.  Only one player younger than McDavid (21 years, 23 days) has scored at least four goals in a game for the Oilers: Wayne Gretzky achieved the feat six times before reaching McDavid’s current age, including his first such effort on Feb. 18, 1981 vs. STL at 20 years, 23 days.

McDavid (21-40—61) eclipsed both the 20-goal and 60-point marks to move into a share of third in the League in points, trailing only Nikita Kucherov (27-39—66) and Phil Kessel (23-40—63) in pursuit of a second straight Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top point-getter.  McDavid, who scored three goals on opening night in October, tallied the 45th hat trick of the season and became the fifth player to post multiple games of 3+ goals in 2017-18. He is the first Oilers player to record multiple hat tricks in one season since 2000-01, when Ryan Smyth had two.

Prior to Tuesday’s contest, McDavid had at least one point against 29 of 30 opposing NHL clubs – the lone exception being Tampa Bay (now 4-1—5 in 3 GP). There are now only four clubs (aside from EDM) against whom McDavid has yet to score a goal: BOS (0-7—7 in 3 GP), NJD (0-8—8 in 5 GP), OTT (0-6—6 in 5 GP) and WPG (0- 8—8 in 8 GP)

* Information provided via NHL Press Release