The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Arizona Coyotes on April 12, 2023, in what promises to be an interesting matchup between two teams with different goals. The Oilers are looking to secure a playoff spot, while the Coyotes are looking to develop their young talent. Let’s take a closer look at these two teams and how they match up against each other.
28 MARCH 2023
TIME: 10:00 PM ET
NHL Ice Hockey Game Pass $19.99 Monthly
Get Your Full Season Access of NHL Ice Hockey Event Online From Anywhere, Click in this Link
The Edmonton Oilers have had a solid season so far, currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with a record of 39-27-5 as of March 26, 2023.
Offensively, the Oilers are led by Connor McDavid, who is having another outstanding season with 116 points in 71 games played. He is one of the best players in the league and can change the game with his speed and skill. The Oilers also have a strong supporting cast, including Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who have contributed 84 and 63 points, respectively.
Defensively, the Oilers have struggled at times this season, with the 22nd-best goals-against average in the league, averaging 3.21 goals per game. They have relied on goaltender Mikko Koskinen, who has a save percentage of .906 and a goals-against average of 2.88.
The Arizona Coyotes have had a tough season, currently sitting in last place in the Pacific Division with a record of 24-40-8 as of March 26, 2023.
The Coyotes are a young team in the midst of a rebuild and have struggled to find consistency this season. Offensively, they have struggled, with the second-worst goals-per-game average in the league, averaging 2.29 goals per game. They have relied on their young talent, including Conor Garland and Clayton Keller, who have contributed 47 and 40 points, respectively.
Defensively, the Coyotes have been solid, with the 14th-best goals-against average in the NHL, averaging 2.92 goals per game. They have relied on goaltender Carter Hutton, who has a save percentage of .905 and a goals-against average of 3.06.
Comparison
When comparing the Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes, it’s clear that the Oilers are the stronger team this season. They have one of the best players in the league in Connor McDavid and a strong supporting cast, while the Coyotes are a young team in the midst of a rebuild.
Offensively, the Oilers have a significant edge. They have one of the best offenses in the league, while the Coyotes have struggled to generate offense. The Oilers’ high-powered offense will be a challenge for the Coyotes to contain.
Defensively, the Coyotes are the stronger team. They have been solid defensively this season, while the Oilers have struggled at times. The Coyotes will need to rely on their defense to contain the Oilers’ high-powered offense.
In terms of goaltending, both teams have had their struggles this season. Mikko Koskinen has been inconsistent for the Oilers, while Carter Hutton has had a tough season for the Coyotes. It will be interesting to see which goaltender can step up and make the difference in this matchup.
Overall, the Edmonton Oilers are the stronger team on paper and are likely to come out on top in this matchup against the Arizona Coyotes. However, the Coyotes have some talented young players and could surprise the Oilers if they can tighten up defensively and generate some offense.