Edmonton Oilers coach gives insight after major Evan Bouchard blunder
Evan Bouchard did not have the greatest of nights during the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-3 OT loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
He managed to pick up an assist in the loss, but his overall game was highlighted by a couple of costly errors. The first was a horrible giveaway behind the Oilers’ net that led to Sabres sniper Tage Thompson getting a point-blank goal against Stuart Skinner.
The second saw the 26-year-old defenceman misread a play in OT and allow Buffalo’s Alex Tuch to score the game-winner all alone.
Bouchard had been playing some very good hockey over the past few weeks, but, for many, those two plays will be all that anybody remembers. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about his first giveaway after the game and gave insight on how he handles a play like that on the bench and in the dressing room.
“Mostly a conversation the next day about what had happened on the play,” Knoblauch said. “To tear a strip off him in between periods or on the bench, I don’t think it is productive.
“He knows he made a mistake, he knows that’s not the right play. It’d be different if Evan didn’t care, if Evan didn’t believe he made a mistake.”
Tage Thompson, 2-0 #LetsGoBuffalo #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Ijf4m1SgY1
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 10, 2025
It was a frustrating game for the Oilers. The first 40 minutes were a mess, and it showed on the scoreboard with a 3-0 deficit heading into the third period. Then, suddenly, Edmonton came alive with Connor McDavid opening the final frame with a goal on the first shift, followed by Vasily Podkolzin scoring another just a few moments later.
The Oilers struggled to get the tying goal, but eventually found a way with McDavid netting his second of the game with just two seconds left in regulation. Somehow, Edmonton managed to walk away with the point, but not completing the comeback in OT still left a sour taste in their mouths.
Knoblauch specifically called out the team for not taking advantage when in prime scoring spots.
“I can think of probably up to 10 times we had the puck in the slot, and we didn’t take a shot,” Knoblauch said. “Very rarely should you be passing it up if you can get the puck in the middle of the ice, and I think we did it way too many times, at least a half dozen times.”
ALEX TUCH PLAYS SPOILER 🤯
The Sabres pull off the win thanks to Tuch's Subway Canada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/YnZ7Xu6oa4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 10, 2025
For whatever reason, Buffalo has had the Oilers’ number in recent years. Edmonton has lost three straight against the Sabres dating back to last season and four of the last six going back to 2023-24.
It’s strange to see this Stanley Cup-contending team struggle so much against a bottom-dweller. Zach Hyman was asked what it was that they had trouble with, but couldn’t pinpoint an exact answer.
“They play us hard,” Hyman said. “Every team in the league is a good team… that’s just the way it is.”
Still, salvaging a point in a game where all hope seemed lost is not a bad consolation prize. The Oilers are in desperate need of making up ground in the standings, and this should help them keep pace in a tight Pacific Division.
A 60-minute effort, however, will be at the top of the wish-list heading into Thursday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.