Edmonton Oilers with head coach Kris Knoblauch (Via Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers return to action Monday night at Rogers Place after one of the most remarkable individual performances in franchise history. Evan Bouchard posted six points in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime victory over Washington, setting the stage for a crucial Pacific Division matchup against the Anaheim Ducks.The Oilers enter Monday’s contest having won 11 of their last 15 meetings with Anaheim. Edmonton’s recent dominance over the Ducks provides confidence as they look to build momentum during their eight-game homestand.
Evan Bouchard is expected to continue his form against Anaheim Ducks
Bouchard factored in on all six Edmonton goals in his 400th NHL game, recording his first career hat trick and three assists. The 25-year-old defenseman kept the puck in with the net empty to set up Zach Hyman’s late equalizer before assisting Connor McDavid’s overtime winner.”I’ll put it this way. I’m going to make sure my kids watch that tomorrow morning,” teammate Mattias Ekholm said after the game. “I mean, who can do that in the league today or even historically? That’s a game where he wins it for us.”Bouchard has been particularly effective against Anaheim throughout his career. The defenseman has recorded at least one point in 13 of his 15 career games against the Ducks, compiling two goals and 15 assists during that span.With 55 points through 53 games this season, Bouchard is tied with Zach Werenski and Cale Makar for the most points by any defenseman in the NHL.McDavid also delivered a massive performance against Washington with two goals and three assists. The captain’s five-point night allowed him to retake the NHL scoring lead from Nathan MacKinnon with 90 points through 53 games.The generational center has tormented Anaheim throughout his career. McDavid has posted at least one point in 24 of his last 26 games against the Ducks, recording 16 goals and 38 assists during that remarkable stretch.”I actually thought we were good. I thought we were the better team of the two out there,” McDavid said after Saturday’s win. “I thought we were unlucky to be down at times, and we just kind of stuck with it. Not the prettiest of wins, but one that we needed, and we’ll move on from that.”Anaheim presents a tougher challenge than in years past. The Ducks sit just three points behind Edmonton in third place in the Pacific Division after winning six consecutive games. They beat Seattle 4-2 on Friday before starting a back-to-back in Calgary on Sunday.The victory over Washington kept the Oilers two points behind Vegas for first place in the division. Monday’s matchup against Anaheim represents the first of three meetings this season between the Pacific Division rivals.