Connor McDavid cushions $42,000,000 Oilers teammate from heavy scrutiny: "Got his back no matter what's going on"

Connor McDavid defended his heavily scrutinzed Oilers teammate Evan Bouchard, whose season has been off to a rocky start, owing to making defensive blunders in games that have contributed in losses for the Oilers.The defenseman signed a four-year, $42,000,000 extension with Edmonton just this past offseason.

Most recently, Evan Bouchard's defense on J.T. Miller's game-winning goal was heavily criticized, as it resulted in an OT loss for Edmonton. The 25-year-old defenseman admitted his mistake on the play post-game, and passed it off as a case of miscommunication with his teammate.

After Oilers' OT win over Blackhawks last night, captain Connor McDavid defended Evan Bouchard, who scored the game winner, from criticism arising from his questionable defensive plays in multiple games,

"You guys can say what you want about him. We love him in here. We know his best is among the very best. We got his back no matter what's going on. So, his play can be better; everyone's play can be better. But really happy for him to get that big goal and quiet some people a little bit," said McDavid.

In his post-game media scrum, Evan Bouchard said the folllwing about the Oilers limitng their turnovers vs. the Blackhawks,

"... It was definitely cleaned up a little simpler. Yeah, it was better," said Bouchard."

Bouchard went into detail about his OT winner, and credited Oilers' superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's contribution on the goal,

"I think it started with those guys a few shifts before, changing, getting them tired. And then when you get a tired group with Connor and Leon out there, they're going to make a play. I just tried to get open. Draisaitl made a good pass, and yeah, glad it went in," added Bouchard.

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Connor McDavid registers three points, involved in all three Oilers goals in OT win over Blackhawks

Oilers captain Connor McDavid led from the front, as Edmonton defeated Chicago in overtime on Saturday night. After a scoreless first period, Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring 54 seconds into the second period with a powerplay goal. Tyler Bertuzzi equalized with a Blackhawks power play goal before Jack Roslovic gave the Oilers the lead after netting a pinpoint Connor McDavid pass into the goal.

Andre Burakovsky made it 2-2, and took the game to overtime, where Evan Bouchard scored the winner for Edmonton, with his second goal of the season. With last night's win, the Oilers have taken the No. 1 spot in the Pacific Divison, with a 6-4-3 record. They're set to take on the St. Louis Blues next on Nov. 3.