What Happened
Bouchard reached 10 goals for the season in his 17th game, scoring on the power play late in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks to tie the game. According to Sportsnet, that makes him the quickest defenceman in franchise history to hit the mark, ahead of Paul Coffey, who needed 22 games to get there in 1983-84. Connor McDavid picked up an assist on the goal, stretching his assist streak to 17 games.
Key Details
- Bouchard hit 10 goals in 17 games, the fastest pace by an Oilers defenceman
- Paul Coffey previously held the record with 10 goals in 22 games in 1983-84
- The milestone goal came on the power play against Anaheim and tied the score
- Bouchard, 27, has 29 points and ranks third in league scoring
- McDavid's assist on the play extended his assist streak to 17 games
- Edmonton is first in the Pacific Division at 11-2-3
What It Means
Bouchard's start has put him among the league's top scorers from the back end, a pace that has him ahead of a franchise icon in Coffey, whose 1983-84 season came during Edmonton's dynasty years. His production, combined with McDavid's 17-game assist streak, has supported an Oilers team that leads the Pacific Division through 16 games.