Bouchard's season-opening hat trick can't prevent Oilers' 6-5 OT loss

Evan Bouchard scored three goals and assisted on two more in Edmonton’s season opener Tuesday, becoming the first defenceman with five points in an NHL season opener. The Vancouver Canucks nevertheless won 6-5 in overtime at Rogers Place.

Bouchard tied the game 1-1 in the first period and 2-2 in the second. Vancouver built a 5-2 lead early in the third. Vasily Podkolzin scored at 8:56, then Bouchard completed his hat trick at 9:20 to make it 5-4. Podkolzin tied it with 43 seconds left in regulation, and Paul Cotter scored the winner 1:59 into overtime.

After his first game as Edmonton's coach, Mike Babcock said the Oilers had turned over the puck, stayed on the ice too long and made poor decisions. Edmonton conceded six goals after allowing five in four exhibition games. "To be honest with you, I feel fortunate we got a point," Babcock told Sportsnet.

Bouchard is the first NHL defenceman to score a hat trick in a season opener since Mark Howe did so for the Hartford Whalers against St. Louis on Oct. 9, 1980. The Oilers defenceman had 95 points, including 21 goals, in 82 games last season.

In an NHL.com report, Connor McDavid praised the small plays Bouchard makes in his own end and said he “doesn’t get enough credit.” Leon Draisaitl had also endorsed Bouchard’s defensive work during the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour the previous month.