"Bouchard is absolute trash": EDM fans rip into $42M Oilers D-man after lackluster defending results in 4-3 loss to NY Rangers

Edmonton Oilers fans slammed defenseman Evan Bouchard on social media for his lackluster performance in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.

Bouchard, currently signed to a $42 million contract, went minus-3 with the primary giveaway on two Rangers goals. Moreover, he now sits at a team-worst minus-9 on the season.

Bouchard attempted a risky neutral-zone pass with the score tied 3-3 in overtime, only to have it easily intercepted. The turnover sparked a 3-on-2 rush, culminating in J.T. Miller’s one-timer at 2:49 of OT, sending the Oilers to their third loss in five games.

Here's how fans on X (Twitter) reacted to Evan Bouchard's performance. One tweeted:

"Bouchard is absolute trash, worst play I've ever seen."

Another chimed in:

"Awfully soft defense by Bouchard and AGAIN Skinner cannot make the save when it matters. I actually cannot believe how big of a problem this is. Nothing can be realistically done about Bouchard with his contract, but fire Skinner out of a cannon. This is unacceptable."

Here are some of the other top reactions on X:

"We need an investigation to make sure Bouchard isn't Terry Roziering us," a third fan wrote. "Love Bouch, but he needs to be held accountable for bad turnovers. They sat Nurse for a stretch last game and he responded with his best game of the season. Time to do the same for Evan. Keep running 11 and 7 so you don’t run out of D for the benchings," one opined. "Classic poor defensive effort by Evan Bouchard. 10.5 million dollar man btw. It doesn't get funnier than that," another said. "Bouchard is one of the worse defensemen in the NHL," another chimed in.

Evan Bouchard's Oilers blow two-goal lead in defeat to Rangers

On Thursday, the New York Rangers secured a 4-3 comeback victory in overtime over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.

Johnny Brodzinski opened the scoring for the Blueshirts, putting them ahead 1-0 at 5:44 of the first period. Just over a minute later, Darnell Nurse equalized it 1-1 for the Oilers.

In the second period, Matt Savoie scored on the power play after a deflected shot went in at 8:48 to make it 2-1 for the Oilers. At 10:24, Nurse scored his second to put the Oilers ahead 3-1.

The Rangers rallied in the final period, with goals from Braden Schneider and Tyler Raddysh tying the game 3-3, forcing overtime, where J.T. Miller scored the winner for the Blueshirts.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta