Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm Defends Teammate After Kris Knoblauch's Comments

Ekholm acknowledged that Bouchard’s performance, which included two errors directly leading to goals or helping the Islanders score, was below standard.

The veteran blueliner, however, reminded reporters and fans that Bouchard brings elite offensive value that few others in the NHL can match.

“I’m sure he knows that he could have made some other decisions tonight,” Ekholm said. “But I know that there’s other games, and you saw the other night when he’s just pulling through a defender or their forward and just makes everybody look silly and things that I wouldn’t even think of.”

Ekholm cautioned everybody about judging Bouchard too harshly after just one bad game.

“I’d be careful criticizing him because that’s who he is,” Ekholm said. “Obviously, he knows that he would want it back. But there’s going to be off nights. There’s going to be mistakes where that happens.

“One of Evan’s superpowers is he forgets quick, and he just goes out there and plays his game. I’m pretty sure we’ll see a different Bouchard. I’m sure he’ll be back with force and vengeance.”

The Oilers will try to bounce back as they face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, when Bouchard will look to rebound and prove Ekholm right while silencing critics.