Two teams matching up for the third time this year, the Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes face off at Gila River Arena in a Pacific Division tilt. Fox Sports Arizona will air the game, which gets going at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Arizona Coyotes Odds
Edmonton is 23-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 56 regular season outings, 28 of its games have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Oilers team is 11-17 SU on the road.
Edmonton has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and the teams successfully killed off only 70.7 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Oilers have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its past five matchups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .900 save percentage, Cam Talbot (20-24-2) has been the best option in goal for Edmonton this year. If head coach Todd Mclellan chooses to rest him, however, Edmonton may go with Laurent Brossoit (3-10-1 record, .886 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Oilers. McDavid has 66 points via 23 goals and 43 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 18 different games. Draisaitl has 17 goals and 33 assists to his credit (and has logged at least one point in 32 games).
Arizona is 16-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 30 of its contests have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just one has pushed. The teams 8-20 SU at home this year.
The Coyotes have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Coyotes skaters have been penalized only 3.2 times per game in total this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five at home. The teams been forced to kill penalties 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Antti Raanta (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for the Coyotes. Raanta has 12 wins, 22 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has recorded a 2.53 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this year.
The Coyotes will be led on offense by Clayton Keller (17 goals, 27 assists).
Edmonton Oilers at Arizona Coyotes Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Edmonton is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Arizona is 1-5 in shootouts.
- Arizona has averaged 2.4 goals per game overall this season, but has upped it to 4.3 per contest across its three-game win streak.
- Seven of Edmonton’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
- This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. Edmonton skaters have accounted for the leagues second-most hits per game (26.9) while the Coyotes have tallied the fifth-most (24.5).
