Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
If there was a perfect example of what a chaotic playoff series looks like, it would easily be represented by what we’re seeing between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.
Every game has been decided by one goal, with endless physical play and unlikely goaltending heroes.
But in all four games of this series, one of the most stable elements between both teams has been the play of Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard.
Bouchard has six points against the Canucks, including two game-winning goals. He scored the overtime-winner in Game 2. On Tuesday night, he scored with 39 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Oilers a 3-2 victory and sent this back-and-forth series back to Vancouver tied 2-2.
In the process, the 24-year-old defenseman is enjoying his coming-out party — and what looks like his best post-season yet.
“No moment’s too big for him,” said Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm. “He’s playing his game. He doesn’t care what time of the game it is, what time of the year it is, he’s just playing his way, and that’s what I love about him, and that’s what’s going to make him have an unbelievable career in this league.”
🚨 EVAN BOUCHARD WINS IT 🚨
His game-winning goal with just 39 seconds left in regulation seals the deal for the @EdmontonOilers as they tie the series in Game 4! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UzCK0xtpGx
— NHL (@NHL) May 15, 2024
Bouchard, who had 17 points during last year’s playoffs, is ranked third in playoff scoring with 15 points in nine games. Only Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have more points.
The 10th overall draft pick in 2018 has become more than a one-dimensional offensive defenseman. He’s become a leader on the back end, one who understands he can make an impact — whether it’s offensively or defensively — when his team needs it the most, like when the Oilers were protecting a one-goal lead.
“It definitely wasn’t ideal giving up that second one in the third, but there wasn’t much time to sulk and think about it,” said Bouchard. “We still had to go out and still finish the period.”
While the biggest story has been the offensive play that has gone to the next level during this post-season on both ends of the ice, Bouchard’s become one of Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch’s most reliable defenders in a top-pairing role.
With Bouchard on-ice, Edmonton has allowed 1.74 5v5 goals against per 60. Without him, it jumps up to 3.32, nearly twice as much.
The offence is obviously spectacular, and playing with Ekholm absolutely helps, but Bouchard deserves a lot of credit for his defensive improvement.
— Sid (@NHL_Sid) May 15, 2024
According to naturalstattrick.com, opposing teams have only scored six times this post-season with Bouchard on the ice. So far, he’s been on the ice for 25 high-danger chances against, compared to 81 high-danger chances-for.
“If you can limit a team like Vancouver to two goals, you’re doing a good job,” said Bouchard. “When everyone chips in, when everyone plays the way they can defensively, you know it’s going to be a good night.”
Related: Why the Oilers’ Calvin Pickard is the Deserving Choice for Game 4 Over Skinner and Campbell
Related: NHL Playoffs Second-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where to Watch
Related: McDavid and Draisaitl Flex Their Superpowers as Oilers Earn OT Win
News Summary:
- 'No Moment's Too Big For Him' — How Evan Bouchard Became the Oilers' Most Reliable Defenseman
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.