The Edmonton Oilers have lost their last two games in different ways. Getting goalied in one outing, then curb-stomped in another, is a rough way to perform at home. With this being an eight-game homestand and a golden opportunity to bank standings points, last night’s game against the Washington Capitals felt sort of like a must-win.
One thing the Oilers haven’t gotten in the past two games was scoring from the star players. And as soon as it was realized the Capitals weren’t going to go away quietly, the star talents kicked into action. Leading the charge on this night, in his 400th NHL game, Evan Bouchard scored the first three Edmonton goals. And when those weren’t enough, Bouchard switched it up, assisting on two different game-tying goals. In Overtime, he punctuated his transcendent outing with an assist on Connor McDavid’s OT winner.
Oilers win 6–5 in OT.
This was a game for the ages for Bouchard. It was near the calibre of Sam Gagner’s eight-point night and Ben Scrivens’ 59-save shutout. And here’s the game story, to show you just how transcendent it was.
With the Olympics nearing, was he counted out too soon?
Bouchard was not named to Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster when they revealed their selections. From a neutral standpoint, it wasn’t hard to see why. His game revolves around the offensive side of the puck, and the Oilers in the first month-plus of the season could not generate offence. That resulted in plays like this being made, as a result of trying to force plays too much:
As the team’s game has started to come around, so too has Bouchard’s. Since October 28, he now has 13 goals and 38 assists (51 points total), and he looks a lot more like the Bouchard we’re used to. Sure, the game will still be somewhat flawed in his own end, but as long as Bouchard’s best defence is offence, you’ll take it. You’ll also take it over trying to pretend that 2014 Drew Doughty will emerge in Milan, instead of 2026 Doughty:
Bouchard could still be selected to Team Canada in case of an injury. This game has shown you what Bouchard, in the clutch, at his best, can do. Even before this game, here’s an example of recent solid Bouchard hockey:
As it stands right now, the decision to leave Bouchard off the Olympic roster is a pretty poor one. Maybe a spot will open up, and Team Canada brass will have a chance to rectify their mistake. But until then, it will be left to wonder what could have been.
Bet like a pro here with Bet99—Ontario’s go-to for elite odds and nonstop action. And outside Ontario, Canadians bet better here with Bet99—bringing top-tier odds and action from coast to coast.
What his teammates are saying about this incredible performance
There’s so many superlatives you could heap onto this game, and they may not do it enough justice. Oilers play-by-play broadcaster Jack Michaels was apt in calling it, for Bouchard, “the game of his life.” The response from Bouchard himself, post-game with Scott Oake? “Kind of hard to argue, with six points.”
Who better to check in with than the beneficiary of two of the three Bouchard assists? McDavid called this night the “best game he’s ever seen from a defenceman,” then took it a step further. “[Bouchard’s] best is among the best in the world—not just d-men; players. He’s a special player.”
Bouchard’s regular defence partner, Mattias Ekholm, stated that he was “going to make sure my kids watch this tomorrow morning.” Like McDavid, he also expressed a sentiment of Bouchard being able to do what not many other defencemen can.
And Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t know what to pick first, when asked what about this masterful Bouchard performance shone the brightest. “Where do we start?” was his ask, before detailing further. “He had a big hit in the corner, obviously the three goals were nice, made some defensive plays—the list is long for everything Bouch’ did.”
Bouchard accomplished feats not seen in decades, in this game
There are several ways this game is historic, in a similar way to how there are several ways the Hotel MacDonald is historic. Not only did Bouchard factor in on every Oilers goal, and not only did he pick up his first career hat trick, but doing so as a defenceman puts him in rarefied air.
For starters, the hat trick is something no offensive-minded Oilers defenceman, not even Darnell Nurse, has done in a while. It turns out, we actually just passed the anniversary of the last time it happened. January 14, 2006 (the day after McDavid turned nine years old), Marc-André Bergeron potted three goals. That happened so long ago, nothing exists footage-wise for that game on social media or YouTube. Bergeron, at the time of getting his hat trick, was the first to do so since Paul Coffey on December 20, 1985. So it’s a once-in-20-year occurrence.
Bouchard also became the first Oilers defenceman with a six-point night since Coffey, his previous defence coach, did it nearly 40 years ago (March 1986). And to cap it all off, he did something only the legendary Bobby Orr had ever done before: six points, and eight shots on goal. Orr, of course, did it twice. But that’s the kind of company Bouchard now holds: Coffey and Orr. That’s how legendary this night was for him.
And oh yeah, that Draisaitl guy keeps hitting milestones too
Draisaitl didn’t have the greatest first game back on Thursday night. Although, given the lengthy travel he had to put in just to get to the game on time, it should have come as no surprise he wasn’t 100 percent. But now, with proper rest, the good vibes of Edmonton, and 48 hours under his belt, the recently-minted 1000-point scorer went to work.
In the second period, Draisaitl got called for a penalty he, for lack of better description, vehemently disagreed with. All he did upon coming out of the box was get the primary assist on Bouchard’s second goal of the game. That assist was his 600th in the National Hockey League.
Draisaitl is just the fourth Oiler to reach that milestone. The others? Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Draisaitl’s teammate and best friend, McDavid. Pretty darn good company to hold.
Hopefully all the legendary stuff of this night carries into Monday
The Oilers return to facing Western Conference opponents now, as the Anaheim Ducks visit Rogers Place. This will be the third and final Amazon Prime game of the season for the Oilers, and the 6:30 PM local puck drop will also be carried on 880 CHED. The previous two Prime games this year have been wins for Edmonton. Quite a turnaround from not being able to even score in three of four Prime games a season ago.
The Ducks have cooled off since a flamin’ hot start to the season, and are now squarely in the wild card battle trenches. This means they’ll come into Rogers Place hungry, and determined to steal a win. No letting your foot off the gas now, boys; carry momentum from this historic night, into this next game.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
