Oilers coach sends a message and benches core player in comeback win over Blue Jackets

Through the Oilers' early season struggles, Evan Bouchard has been one of the players taking the most criticism for his play. He had never been parked on the bench despite some flaring giveaways - but tonight Knoblauch made a change.

Midway through the first period, the Oilers were gaining some momentum off a great start, but it turned around when Bouchard took a costly slashing penalty.

Columbus scored just after the penalty expired, and Evan Bouchard didn't see the ice for the rest of the third period.

The Oilers top defenceman only played 4:10 of ice time in the first period. Coach Knoblauch sent a message to Bouchard for the first time this year, and actually held one of his star players accountable for poor play.

And really, that's the most significant aspect of this move from Knoblauch. Sending a message to one of their top players resonates with the rest of the team, that their current level is not acceptable.

It may look strange that Knoblauch would choose to bench Bouchard for this penalty after all his glaring turnovers, but it's still the same issue of making glaring mistakes at costly times.

The benching of Bouchard didn't immediately turn things around for the Oilers - in fact, the got worse in the 2nd period. Led by Connor McDavid, the Oilers were dragged back into this game and found a way to win on some much needed lucky bounces.

But finally, the Oilers celebrated some goals enthusiastically as Rogers Place popped for a game-winning goal. That could be a moment this group of Oilers finds their next gear, and rattles off a win streak.