'He's helped me': Oilers' Bouchard blossoming since arrival of new partner Ekholm
Getting more power play time with some of the best hockey players on the planet has certainly helped but Evan Bouchard also credited a new teammate Wednesday for his recent resurgence.
The 23-year-old Edmonton Oilers defenceman is playing more – and putting up more points – since being paired with Mattias Ekholm on March 1 against Toronto.
Bouchard has nine points in 10 games since then and is averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time.
Prior to playing with Ekholm, and taking over for Tyson Barrie on the top power play unit, he had 21 points in 61 games and averaged about 17 minutes per game.
"The more you play, the more confident you are, the more confident you feel," Bouchard told reporters Wednesday.
"And to have a partner there like [Ekholm] supporting me, it really makes me feel more confident in how I want to play to my abilities and he's helped me out a lot."
Ekholm has also played better since joining Bouchard.
After recording just one assist in his previous 10 games with the Nashville Predators, Ekholm has nine points in 10 games as an Oiler.
The big defenceman, known more for shutting down skilled opponents, also scored two goals Monday night in a 5-4 overtime win against San Jose.
"He's definitely a great teammate. He's a presence out there. You kinda know when he's on the ice, physical play, steadiness, even the offensive contributions," Bouchard said.
"Last game he was massive offensively and defensively and I think it's really paying off here with the team."
After Barrie was included in the Feb. 28 trade for Ekholm, head coach Jay Woodcroft said the team needed Bouchard to step up and play more. He has, with solid results.
"Ekholm's effect on Bouchard, that can't be lost on anybody. I think that pairing has been very good. They've been moving pucks," he told reporters.
"We know what we're getting every day from Mattias Ekholm. I think, as a coach, there's comfort in understanding someone's level of consistency like that. He's come as advertised and as expected."
The Oilers power play has not been as successful so far with Bouchard in Barrie's place, so Woodcroft pointed out there's room for improvement.
"But what I like about it is, with our power play not clicking at its usual rate, we still found a way to find ourselves 8-2. So that's a good thing," Woodcroft said.
The Oilers have won four straight games heading into Wednesday night's game against the Arizona Coyotes who are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
Edmonton (40-23-8) faces off against Arizona (27-33-11) shortly after 8:30 p.m. MT at Rogers Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.