Connor McDavid has 46 career hat tricks as of April 15, 2026. He is on pace to challenge Wayne Gretzky's record of 82 hat tricks. McDavid's consistency and shot volume have contributed to his hat trick pace, which is almost identical to Gretzky's.

McDavid's Hat Trick Pace

Connor McDavid has 46 career hat tricks as of April 15, 2026, putting him on pace to challenge Gretzky's record in fewer seasons but not necessarily in fewer games. McDavid's first NHL hat trick came on November 13, 2016, against the Dallas Stars, a 4-2 win in which he scored his first NHL goal, then added two more in the third period. He needed 199 games to reach that mark. By contrast, Auston Matthews needed only 123 games for his first three-goal game, and Alex Ovechkin needed 115.

McDavid's 46th hat trick came on March 22, 2026, in Edmonton's 6-3 win over Calgary, completing a natural hat trick in the second period. That game also marked the 200th career multi-point game for McDavid, a milestone that usually arrives around the same time as the 50-hat-trick mark.

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  • McDavid's first NHL hat trick came on November 13, 2016, against the Dallas Stars.
  • Auston Matthews needed 123 games for his first three-goal game, while Alex Ovechkin needed 115.
  • The NHL officially logs a hat trick only when a player scores three goals in a single game.
  • Gretzky's 82 career hat tricks came over 1,487 games, a rate of one every 18.1 games.
  • Ovechkin has 30 career hat tricks in 1,373 games, a rate of one every 45.8 games.
  • McDavid's pace has remained steady or slightly improved each season.
  • The league's increased scoring and emphasis on speed have created an environment where players like McDavid can thrive.

Tracking Hat Tricks

The NHL officially logs a hat trick only when a player scores three goals in a single game, regardless of empty-net late tallies or shootout goals. The league began tracking hat tricks electronically in the 1980s, but retroactive tallies for pre-1980 players were compiled later. This is why Gretzky's total (82) is treated as definitive even though he played in an era with fewer games per season and no shootouts.

Consistency and Pace

McDavid's consistency - scoring at least one hat trick in 10 of his 10 full NHL seasons - reflects his league-leading shot volume (he averages 4.1 shots per game) and shooting percentage (around 13%). Both of these statistics sit in the top five among forwards since 2016-17. Gretzky's 82 career hat tricks came over 1,487 games, a rate of one every 18.1 games. McDavid's 46 came in 822 games, a rate of one every 17.9 games - almost identical pace.

Comparing to Gretzky and Ovechkin

A closer comparison is Ovechkin, who has 30 career hat tricks in 1,373 games (one every 45.8 games). Ovechkin's pace slowed after age 30 as his skating declined, while McDavid's pace has remained steady or slightly improved each season. If McDavid stays on his current pace - roughly one hat trick every eight games - he would reach 50 by late November 2026, which would shave nearly a full season off Gretzky's 78-game head start.

How many hat tricks does mcdavid have

The Path to 50

McDavid's path to 50 hat tricks is not just about individual achievement; it also reflects the changing landscape of the NHL. The league's increased scoring and emphasis on speed have created an environment where players like McDavid can thrive. As McDavid continues to push towards Gretzky's record, his consistency and pace will be key factors in determining whether he can ultimately surpass the Great One.

  • McDavid has scored at least one hat trick in 10 of his 10 full NHL seasons.
  • He averages 4.1 shots per game and has a shooting percentage of around 13%.
  • McDavid's 46 hat tricks came in 822 games, a rate of one every 17.9 games.
  • He is on pace to reach 50 hat tricks by late November 2026.
  • McDavid's consistency and pace will be key factors in determining whether he can surpass Gretzky's record.