The Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes are two teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) that have a history of competitive matchups. With both teams vying for playoff spots, every game between these two teams is critical. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of this rivalry, their current rosters, and what we can expect from their next matchup.
The Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes have a relatively new rivalry, with the Coyotes moving to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996. The two teams have faced each other 116 times since the Coyotes' move, with the Oilers winning 68 of those matchups and the Coyotes winning 38. The teams have tied 10 times.
Despite the Coyotes' relatively short history in Arizona, the teams have played some memorable games against each other. In 2011, the Coyotes eliminated the Oilers from playoff contention in the final game of the regular season. The two teams also faced each other in the first round of the playoffs in 2012, with the Coyotes winning the series in five games.
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Current Rosters
The Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes both have talented rosters that are filled with some of the best players in the NHL. Let's take a look at each team's current roster and their key players.
Edmonton Oilers:
The Oilers have a roster that is led by two of the best players in the NHL, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Some of their other key players include:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Nugent-Hopkins is a versatile forward who can play both center and wing. He has a strong defensive game and is capable of putting up points on the board.
Darnell Nurse: Nurse is a physical defenseman who is not afraid to throw his weight around. He also has a strong offensive game and is capable of scoring goals.
Mike Smith: Smith is the Oilers' starting goaltender and has been playing at a high level this season. He has a 2.28 goals against average (GAA) and a .925 save percentage.
Arizona Coyotes:
The Coyotes have a roster that is led by veteran forward Phil Kessel and young star Clayton Keller. Some of their other key players include:
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Ekman-Larsson is a talented defenseman who is capable of shutting down opposing teams' top players. He also has a strong offensive game and is capable of scoring goals.
Conor Garland: Garland is a speedy forward who has a strong offensive game. He has 10 goals and 20 points in 29 games this season.
Darcy Kuemper: Kuemper is the Coyotes' starting goaltender and has been playing at a high level this season. He has a 2.35 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
What to Expect in Their Next Matchup
The next matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Arizona Coyotes is sure to be a highly anticipated game. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots and will be looking to earn two crucial points in the standings.
Offensively, the Oilers have one of the most dynamic duos in the NHL with McDavid and Draisaitl. The two players have combined for 95 points in 29 games this season and are capable of taking over a game at any moment. The Coyotes will need to find a way to contain these two players if they hope to earn a win.
Defensively, the Coyotes have a strong group of defensemen who are capable of shutting down opposing teams' top players.