Evan Bouchard Opens the Season With a Historic Five-Point Night

Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken battle for the puck during a matchup at Climate Pledge Arena on November 11, 2023. Photo by Jenn G.

Written by Gina Anton

Heading into his eighth season with the Oilers, Evan Bouchard’s development has reached the point where another big offensive season is no longer a surprise. After leading NHL defensemen with 95 points last season, Bouchard opened 2026-27 by showing just how much his game has grown.

Bouchard recorded three goals and two assists in Edmonton’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to record five points in a season opener. His hat trick was also just the third by a defenseman on Opening Night, and the first in more than 45 years.

“One of those nights,” Bouchard said. “Without those guys in front, none of them were going in. Hyms was battling. Podz, he's always battling in front of those guys. Without them, they wouldn't have gone in.”

The numbers from last season already put Bouchard among the league’s most productive defensemen. He finished with 21 goals and 74 assists in 82 games, averaging 1.16 points per game while playing more than 24 minutes a night. That production earned him his first NHL Second All-Star Team selection and a fourth-place finish in Norris Trophy voting.

Bouchard’s offensive numbers have never really been in question. The area he identified for improvement this offseason was his play without the puck, particularly cutting down on mistakes while maintaining the freedom to create offensively.

That was part of what made Tuesday’s performance notable. Bouchard was not simply finishing chances; he was involved throughout Edmonton’s comeback, helping the Oilers climb out of a three-goal hole and force overtime. His third goal came through a double screen, a small example of how his ability to find space and get shots through traffic can change a game.

For Bouchard, those details are becoming increasingly important as his role grows. He is already trusted with heavy minutes and major offensive responsibility, but becoming more dependable in his own end would give Edmonton a defenseman who can influence the game without needing to be on the scoresheet.

One game does not define that progress, but five points on opening night offered a pretty clear reminder of the player Bouchard has become. The offense is already there. Now, the attention turns to how complete his game can become alongside it.