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Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard is rewriting NHL history already

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Oct 2 2026, 7:26 pm
Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard is rewriting NHL history already
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images

The 2026-27 season has gotten off to an incredible start for Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard.

While the Oilers have plenty to work on after giving up 13 goals through their first two games, Bouchard’s play is a major reason why they have picked up three points so far this season.

Bouchard has been nothing short of spectacular offensively to begin the year, and he’s already managed to etch his name into the NHL record book.

After recording a hat trick and two assists in Tuesday’s season-opening 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, Bouchard followed it up with another three-point performance in Thursday’s rematch.

The 26-year-old scored once and added two assists in Edmonton’s wild 9-7 victory, giving him eight points through the first two games of the season. Both his four goals and eight points currently lead all NHLers.

That is a new NHL record for most points by a defenceman through his team’s first two games of a season.

The previous record of seven points was set by Harry Cameron of the Toronto Arenas all the way back in 1917.

Bouchard also became the first defenceman in NHL history to record five points in a season opener when he exploded for three goals and two assists against Vancouver on Tuesday. His hat trick was also the first by a defenceman in a season opener since Mark Howe accomplished the feat with the Hartford Whalers in 1980.

It continues what has been an incredible offensive run for Bouchard dating back to last season. He led all NHL defencemen with 95 points in 82 games in 2025-26, establishing a new career high in goals, assists, and points.

The Oilers certainly won’t be happy with the defensive side of their game after allowing 13 goals in their first two games, but Bouchard has done everything possible to help them overcome those issues.

In fact, NHL EDGE has Bouchard leading all NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 shot-attempt differential through two games at plus-29. He’s also sitting in the 97th percentile among NHL players in offensive-zone time percentage.

It’s obviously far too early to start drawing conclusions about where Bouchard’s season will end, but the start has been historic.

And considering what he accomplished last season, the Oilers and their fan base are hoping this is just the beginning.

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