A couple of clubs that split their season series (two wins apiece) last year, the Arizona Coyotes and the Edmonton Oilers collide at Rogers Place. This Pacific Division matchup gets started at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18 and it can be caught live on Sportsnet ONE.
Arizona Coyotes at Edmonton Oilers Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Arizona is 26-24 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 50 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team in 2019-20, the Coyotes are 14-12 SU.
Arizona has converted on 19.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of its penalties.
Arizona, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.1 times per game during the 2019-20 season, 3.0 per game over its last five games total, and 2.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .929 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Darcy Kuemper (15-10-2) has been the best option in goal for Arizona this season. If Arizona decides to rest him, however, the team could turn to Antti Raanta (9-12-2 record, .919 save percentage, 2.72 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Nick Schmaltz will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Coyotes. Hall (39 points) is up to 12 goals and 27 assists, and has recorded multiple points nine times. Schmaltz has seven goals and 28 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 25 games).
Edmonton is 25-23 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 23 of its outings have gone over the total, while another 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 11-11 SU at home this season.
Edmonton comes into the matchup with the first-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it has converted on 29.9 percent of its extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Mikko Koskinen has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for Edmonton. Koskinen has 14 wins, 13 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has maintained a .910 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Connor McDavid (25 goals, 49 assists).
Arizona Coyotes vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The extra-man advantage may prove to be even more critical than usual in this game. The Coyotes are 10-13 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-19 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Oilers are 13-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 19-16 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Edmonton is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Arizona is 5-3 in shootouts.
- Edmonton skaters have averaged 8.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 8th).
- Arizona has managed 6.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 6.7 takeaways per game (ranked 25th in the NHL).
- Edmonton could hold an advantage if it’s a close one late. The team’s 11-8 in games decided by one goal, while Arizona is 9-12 in such games.
