Five-Goal Second Period: Bouchard Leads Oilers Past Ducks
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By Doug Hirdle
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- Proof-checked
Summary:
- The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday.
- Evan Bouchard scored twice and added an assist, reaching six goals through four games.
- He became the second defenseman in NHL history to reach that mark.
Evan Bouchard scored twice and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers erased a slow start with a five-goal second period to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Second Defenseman in NHL History to Reach This Feat
Bouchard now has six goals through four games, making him only the second defenseman in NHL history to reach that mark. Harry Cameron scored eight goals in four games for the Toronto Arenas during the NHL’s inaugural 1917-18 season.
Bouchard also became the fifth defenseman in league history to record at least 10 points through the first four games of a season. Morgan Rielly was the last to do it, reaching the mark with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018-19.
Leon Draisaitl had four assists, while Connor McDavid added a goal and two assists for Edmonton. Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin also scored, and Devon Levi stopped 28 shots.
Anaheim jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind two power-play goals from Beckett Sennecke. The second-year forward had scored just once on the power play as a rookie but struck twice in the opening period.
Bouchard Initiated the Comeback
Bouchard started Edmonton’s comeback just 11 seconds into the second, beating Lukas Dostal with a long wrist shot through traffic.
He then put the Oilers ahead 3-2 with 5:48 remaining in the period, finishing a one-timer set up by Draisaitl. Kapanen and Podkolzin added goals before the period ended.
McDavid completed the five-goal outburst with 51.7 seconds left in 4-on-4 play. It was his third goal and 12th point of the season.
Dostal allowed five goals on 11 shots in the second period before being replaced by Ville Husso to start the third.
The Ducks dropped to 2-1-1 after losing for the first time in three games. Leo Carlsson had two assists, while Dostal and Husso combined for 14 saves.
Anaheim also gave 2026 first-round pick Nikita Klepov his NHL debut. The No. 15 selection became the youngest player in Ducks history at 18 years and 102 days old.
Edmonton has now won three straight games and will visit San Jose on Saturday. Anaheim heads to Winnipeg on Friday night.
Doug Hirdle
Author
betting.ca
