Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard elevates his game when the lights shine brightest. The Oilers hold a 2-1 series lead against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, and he’s played a large role as he has in every Oilers’ playoff run. Bouchard has six goals and 17 points in 14 games these playoffs with a plus-7 rating, averaging 25:29 minutes a game. In his playoff career, he has 73 points in 66 games, ranked 33rd all-time in playoff points by a defenceman at only 25 years old.
He’s also scored some massive playoff goals, including against the Vancouver Canucks in Round 2 last season, and an overtime winner in the 2024 Western Conference Final. This year, he scored the tying goal with under 30 seconds remaining against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1 to send Game 4 to overtime, and a game-winning goal against the Kings in Game 3, which completely changed the trajectory of that series.
Elite right-shot offensive defencemen don’t grow on trees, especially ones that are playoff performers. Bouchard will be a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the season, and his contract status has been a talking point all season, but it shouldn’t be. The Oilers should lock him up with an eight-year extension as soon as possible, and yes, he will be getting roughly $10 million a season, so fans must accept that. Management must re-sign before July 1 to avoid another potential offer sheet debacle. The way he’s continued to produce in the playoffs, he’ll be worth every penny, and will keep Edmonton’s championship window open for much longer.
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While there are still some concerns with his game, he isn’t making the same mistakes in the playoffs that he did for much of the regular season. His offence has never been an issue, but rather his lacklustre defensive play. However, he’s firing on both sides of the puck right now. Is he finally becoming a more well-rounded defender? He’ll need to show this side more consistently, but these playoffs are a good start.
Bouchard Has Improved His Defensive Play
Bouchard’s biggest issue is his defensive game. His questionable decision-making and lost assignments have often resulted in turnovers that usually end up in the net. However, he’s made quicker decisions in these playoffs, and he’s using an active stick to intercept passing attempts and disrupt the opposition, especially off the rush, which…
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