It is well known that several Edmonton Oilers stars played through injuries during the first round against the Anaheim Ducks, but it now appears that defenseman Evan Bouchard can be added to that list.
Late in the second period of Game 1, Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier boarded Bouchard, sending him face-first into the glass. Play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels exclaimed, "Bouchard, he got popped! Face first!" Bouchard reacted angrily after the hit, hacking at multiple Ducks players.
While Bouchard finished the game and the series, speculation has grown that he suffered a concussion on the play. On the 100% Hockey podcast, Bob Stauffer noted that Anaheim specifically targeted Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm. Stauffer added, "Bouchard got belted in Game 1."
Frank Seravalli later stated, "I think Bouchard might have had a concussion in the playoffs." When pressed, Stauffer would neither confirm nor deny, but reiterated that Bouchard took a hard hit. Seravalli responded, "Belted is one way of saying it, but yes, that's what I was told. I believe that to be factually accurate."
Impact on Performance
In six playoff games, Bouchard recorded seven points but posted a minus-7 plus-minus rating. If he was playing with a concussion, that could explain his struggles. However, Bouchard improved as the series progressed and is now playing for Team Canada at the World Championships, suggesting the injury was not severe.
Hits Analysis
Among 93 NHL defensemen with at least 50 even-strength minutes in the 2026 playoffs, Jake Walman took the fewest hits (0.65 per 60 minutes), while Bouchard ranked 58th. Connor Murphy and Ty Emberson were hit more frequently, with Emberson ranking 92nd (21.9 hits taken per 60).
Stauffer also revealed that Bouchard played through injury in the 2025 playoffs, with general manager Stan Bowman expressing uncertainty about his availability for the final two games of the Stanley Cup Final.
