Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Edmonton Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard caught the Ottawa Senators on an early first-period highlight-reel goal.
The D-man took the puck from his end, all the way through the middle of the ice, and buried the puck in the top-right corner of the net.
OH MY EVAN BOUCHARD! WHAT A GOAL pic.twitter.com/11bHqouiYu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 20, 2024
The play started with Leon Draisaitl playing a casual pass back to his D-man, allowing him to make a line change.
That’s when the Edmonton Oilers blueliner picked his head up and saw a flat-footed Senators team. He took it upon himself to create an opportunity and flawlessly converted on the solo effort.
Before putting the puck past Linus Ullmark, he executed a toe-drag move around Thomas Chabot.
The opening goal was Bouchard’s fifth of the campaign. He added two assists for three points in the first period alone as the Oilers beat the Senators 5-2.
Bouchard now has 13 points in 20 games. That puts him on pace to finish the year with 53 points. That would be a downgrade from his production last season when he scored 18 goals and 82 points in 81 games. The NHL world took notice of his performances that season, and he finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting.
The Edmonton Oilers dropped their last two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens on this eastern Canada road trip. They’re without defenseman Darnell Nurse as well after Ryan Reaves hit him in the head on Saturday. Bouchard’s opening goal was a good start.
While Bouchard is known for his powerful shot from the blue line – his top shot speed this season of 97.67 mph ranks in the 97th percentile of NHL players, per NHL Edge data – he showcased his slick hands in Tuesday night’s goal as well.
The 25-year-old is in the last year of his contract. He signed his current deal in August 2023 as a two-year bridge deal worth $3.9 million annually. He becomes an RFA at the end of the season and is eligible for arbitration.
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