Babcock sees Norris potential in Bouchard after Oilers’ 5–2 win

“when we got competitive, things turned our way,” Mike Babcock said after Edmonton’s 5–2 win over Anaheim on October 7. Asked what changed after the first period, the Oilers coach said his team had lost the battles and races before discussing the need to compete harder.

Edmonton trailed 2–0 before scoring five goals in the second period. Evan Bouchard scored twice and added an assist. Asked what looked different from behind the bench, Babcock praised the defenseman’s talent, vision and puck movement.

“There’s no question he should be in the running for the Norris every year,” Babcock said. He also said Bouchard needed to become more competitive defensively and was already working on it.

Babcock credited the blocked shots, commitment and goaltending in the third period, while saying he would have preferred more time in the offensive zone.

In Anaheim’s published edited postgame clip, Joel Quenneville said the Ducks’ pace had slowed and Edmonton’s early second-period goal had changed momentum. “we’re in a watching mode instead of, you know, anticipating and forcing,” he said.

Read the Oilers–Ducks final recap and game record.