Two teams squaring off for the first time this year, the Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes clash at Gila River Arena. This Pacific Division matchup will get underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, and it’ll be showcased live on Sportsnet ONE.
Edmonton Oilers at Arizona Coyotes Odds
The money line for each side is currently set at an identical -110 and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 over, +100 under.
Edmonton is 18-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 18 of its outings have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Oilers are 8-11 SU as an away team in 2018-19.
Edmonton has converted on 22.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 26th in the league, and it has successfully killed off only 76.9 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Edmonton has been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 4.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 12.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .892 save percentage, Cam Talbot (7-14-2) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton this season. If head coach Ken Hitchcock chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Mikko Koskinen (11-9-1 record, .916 save percentage, 2.60 goals against average).
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Oilers. McDavid has 58 points on 21 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded two or more points 16 times. Draisaitl has 21 goals and 28 assists to his credit, and has registered at least one point in 28 games.
Over on the other bench, Arizona is 17-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 39 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while another 19 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 7-12 SU at home this year.
Arizona has converted on just 17.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 87.7 percent of all penalties.
Arizona skaters have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Darcy Kuemper has stopped 28.2 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for Arizona. Kuemper has five wins, 13 losses, and two OT losses and has registered a fairly-weak .909 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average this season.
Clayton Keller (eight goals, 21 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Coyotes.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Arizona Coyotes Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five matches.
- Edmonton has managed 27.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Arizona is averaging 32.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Seven of Edmonton’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
- Edmonton skaters have accounted for the league’s fourth-most hits per game (27.0), but the team’s averaged just 21.2 hits over their last five away games.
