Evan Bouchard scored his first career hat trick and added three assists as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Washington Capitals 6-5 in overtime on January 24, 2026. Connor McDavid tallied five points, including the game-winning goal just 47 seconds into extra time. The victory improved Edmonton's record to 26-19-8 amid a crucial homestand.
The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Washington Capitals at Rogers Place on January 24, 2026, in a high-scoring affair that showcased offensive firepower from both sides. Edmonton jumped ahead early with Bouchard's wrist shot from the point at 19:12 of the first period, but Aliaksei Protas tied it 22 seconds later on a rebound. In the second, Bouchard restored the lead at 4:13 with another wrist shot, only for Justin Sourdif to equalize on a 2-on-1 rush and Anthony Beauvillier to give Washington a 3-2 edge after a deflection.
The third period saw Bouchard complete his hat trick at 4:30, tying the game at 3-3 with a slot wrist shot—his first since joining the NHL in 2018. Dylan Strome put the Capitals back in front on the power play at 6:40, but McDavid leveled it at 8:24 with his 31st goal of the season. Connor McMichael regained the lead for Washington at 15:09, but Zach Hyman tied it with 32 seconds left on a deflection during a 6-on-5 situation, forcing overtime.
In extra time, Bouchard cleared the puck to McDavid, who broke away and backhanded it past Charlie Lindgren for the winner. McDavid finished with two goals and three assists, while Leon Draisaitl notched three assists, reaching 600 for his career. Goaltender Connor Ingram was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots, with Tristan Jarry stopping 13 of 15.
"As good a game as I've seen from a D-man, special," McDavid said of Bouchard, who became the first Oilers defenseman with six points in a game since Paul Coffey in 1986. The win snapped a two-game skid for Edmonton, who sit second in the Pacific Division. For Washington (25-21-7), now 1-4-1 in their last six, coach Spencer Carbery praised his team's fight despite the late travel from a win in Calgary.
Bouchard's performance, in his 400th NHL game, has fueled discussions about his Team Canada Olympic prospects ahead of the February 11 roster freeze. Draisaitl, fresh off a three-game personal leave in Germany, expressed gratitude for team support.
