Evan Bouchard continues historic start, Oilers pummel Ducks in 2nd period in 5-2 win

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Evan Bouchard had two goals and an assist to become the second defenseman in NHL history with at least six goals through the first four games of a season, and the Edmonton Oilers used a five-goal second period to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Bouchard has a league-leading six goals through four games. Harry Cameron had eight goals in four games for the Toronto Arenas during the NHL's inaugural season in 1917-18.

Leon Draisaitl had four assists, Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists, Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin also scored, and the Oilers overcame a sluggish start to win their third straight game. Devon Levi made 28 saves.

Beckett Sennecke had two power-play goals and Leo Carlsson had two assists, but the Ducks lost for the first time in three games. Lukas Dostal made 12 saves, stopping just six of 11 shots in the decisive middle period before being replaced to start the third. Ville Husso made two saves in relief.

Bouchard scored twice in the second period, sparking Edmonton’s rally by cutting it to 2-1 11 seconds into the frame on a long wrist shot through traffic. He put the Oilers in front 3-2 on a one-timer from Draisaitl with 5:48 to go.

Bouchard is the fifth defenseman in league history with at least 10 points through the first four games of a season. The feat was last accomplished by Morgan Rielly in 2018-19 for the Maple Leafs.

McDavid capped off the five-goal outburst by netting his third goal and 12th point of the season with 51.7 left during 4-on-4 play.

After scoring one power-play goal in 82 games as a rookie, Sennecke found the back of the net twice on the man-advantage in the first period.

Ducks winger Nikita Klepov, the No. 15 pick in the 2026 draft, made his NHL debut and became the youngest player in franchise history at 18 years, 102 days old.

Oilers: At San Jose on Saturday.

Kings: At Winnipeg on Friday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund, left, and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi, right, watch as the puck deflects away during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, tries to pass while under pressure from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal deflects a shot during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin, right, celebrates his goal with center Leon Draisaitl during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi takes a break during a timeout in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Veronica Burton hit a deep 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead with 41 seconds left and converted two free throws in the closing seconds, Tiffany Hayes had 21 points, and the Valkyries held off the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.

“I think I held my breath the whole time the ball was in the air,” Hayes said about watching Burton’s clutch shot.

In a wild finish, Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left to give Las Vegas one last chance, then Chelsea Gray grabbed the rebound and drove under the basket for a layup attempt. Kiah Stokes blocked the shot and Burton corralled the ball.

Gabby Williams had 20 points and five rebounds and Kayla Thornton scored 16 points as the Valkyries moved one win away from reaching the WNBA Finals in just their second season. Golden State became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season last year.

Hayes missed that postseason run because of a left knee injury, and now she's shining against her former team.

“It felt amazing to be able to go out there and get a win with the team that I’m with now,” she said.

A shot-clock violation gave Golden State the ball back with 1:01 to play and Burton delivered with her lone basket of the night.

“That Burton 3 was massive,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “We battled back and gave ourselves a shot after a really abysmal first half.”

The series now shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Friday with the defending champions trying to stave off elimination. Hammon said before Wednesday's game how important it would be to go home with a split — but the Valkyries have been too good in front of their rocking home crowd and now Hammon's team is on the brink of the season ending without a repeat title.

“I can't convince them that this is not a must-win, because if we lose we go home, and we stay home,” she said. “The goal is to get one quarter at a time and we've got to string it together. We know we're capable of stringing three in a row.”

A’ja Wilson had 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting and seven rebounds for Las Vegas, which trailed 66-55 going into the final 10 minutes and made it interesting down the stretch.

Gray’s jumper with 4:46 to go pulled the Aces to 73-68 then Dana Evans’ 3-pointer made it 74-71 before Gray hit a tying 3 with 2:10 left.

Burton, who sat down with 7:29 left in the third quarter of a 71-60 Game 1 win Sunday and didn’t return, was thrilled to have the ball in her hands this time.

“I was just saying I had to do something out there,” she said. “I appreciated Gabby trusting me in that moment, obviously a big moment. We trust her with the ball in her hands as well and so for her to pass it up to me not just once in that possession but twice ... the second one I knew that had to go up.”

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Las Vegas Aces center Kalani Brown (20) tries to shoot between Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) and guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball semifinals, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer against Las Vegas Aces during Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

The Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) and guard Kaila Charles (6) block Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) reacts as the Valkyries recover the Las Vegas Aces' free throw to seal the victory in the fourth quarte during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) and Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) celebrate their win against the Las Vegas Aces during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)