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Arizona Coyotes: Three Keys to Beating the Oilers: Off-ense, Def-ense, and Confid-ence

By Cori Crenshaw

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The Arizona Coyotes have got to visualize a good game to play a good game

This has been an up and down season for the Coyotes to say the least.

However, the Edmonton Oilers have been a team the Coyotes tend to shine against… and this is their opportunity to shine again, since the Oilers are coming into this game on a nine game losing streak. The 3-0 loss to Calgary was tough — but this game, if played right, could be a small redemption.

The Coyotes know how to play the game, and they don’t have much of an issue executing when they are specifically told to. They’re taking shots. They’re blocking shots. They’re passing the puck (maybe too much). Here’s what they need to do more of, though, to actually walk away with two points —

Nov 16, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens (30) blocks a shot from Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Steve Alkok-USA TODAY Sports

1. Offensive Push

The Coyotes’ offense has certainly been lacking. They haven’t provided the power needed to gain a lead, and they’re been even worse at keeping a lead.

Why? They’ve been trying to do too much. They’ve gotten too fancy with the puck, and haven’t been sticking to their systems. Their systems work — they just have to get back to them.

The Coyotes are a grind and power it out team, full of hard workers that always put in the effort needed to succeed. However, that normal Coyotes play hasn’t been seen as of late, with the exception of a few short glimpses. The more they attempt to become a finesse team, the continuation of turnovers in the offensive zone will occur.  So, in short, all of the forwards really need to stick to a true Coyotes style of play, and they will thrive.

Nov 16, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (10) chalenges Arizona Coyotes goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) on a clearing attempt at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Steve Alkok-USA TODAY Sports

2. Solid defense

A critical issue the Coyotes have been facing this season has been defensive breakdowns. Turnovers, which are a fact of hockey, are most often ending up in goals.

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Therefore, a solid — and quick-reacting — defense is going to be necessary.

In the previous games, the team has been using their star two-way defensemen to push offensively. Yes, the Coyotes do have some talented offensive defensemen, like Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson… and the team as a whole has needed someone to step up in the place of the lack of offense.

However, when the focus is on scoring goals, they take risks that lead to turnovers and breakaways. If the offense isn’t scoring goals, the defense most definitely can’t be giving them up. Unless Yandle, OEL, and Stone feel confident that they’re good to cover their own zone in a turnover situation, they need to start hanging back more.

In addition — with the goalie situation being what it is, both Devan Dubnyk and Mike Smith need to feel confident that their defense has their back.

Nov 16, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Steve Alkok-USA TODAY Sports

3. Confidence on the Ice

With a less than solid start to the season, it’s becoming evident that the little issues the team has been facing has gotten to them.

They aren’t shaking things off — losses have made them question what they’re doing, and the Coyotes look like a team that lacks the confidence to fix their issues and rebuild. So, after beating the Oilers 7-4 back in October and 2-1 in November, this game should be the opportunity to get back into old grooves.

If the Arizona Coyotes we know and believe in take this opportunity to play how they know they can and execute like a team, this could be a great confidence booster for them. It will all just depend on their chemistry, confidence in one another to execute plays and set up passes to players already in their spots, and make the plays they should. The only way to win is to believe that you can win, and then execute it like you know how to.

All together, this game should be a game for the Coyotes to progress, and start to turn around the bad habits they’ve been forming. If they improve on these three areas, it could mean a world of a difference — for not only this game, but the rest of the season to come.

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