Arizona Coyotes OEL vs Ottawa Senators Erik Karlsson

The battle of Sweden is on! Arizona Coyotes OEL will try to show Ottawa’s Karlsson that he’s not all that.

Of course, Erik Karlsson does have eight assists, right behind the Arizona Coyotes Martin Hanzal,who has eight. OEL has one goal, two assists in seven games, and is coming off a spectacular season last year where he collected 20 goals, 23 assists to Karlsson’s 21 goals, 45 assists.

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You can bet that Oliver Ekman-Larsson wants to show his fellow countryman Erik Karlsson that he can play to his level. The Arizona Coyotes as a team need to also make a statement against the Senators after getting trampled twice last season 5-1, and 7-2 in Glendale. Let’s see if the “new” Arizona Coyotes, (you know the rejuvenated, young, and FAST Coyotes) have a better outcome this time around.

The Senators have three other players who are off to good starts like Karlsson. Former Coyote Kyle Turris has four goals, four assists, as does Mike Hoffman. Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone’s brother, Mark is also out of the gate with a burst of speed with two goals, and six assists.

BUT, what the Ottawa Senators do not know is, this is not the same team they dominated last season. There was no Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Nicklas Grossmann, Steve Downie, Boyd Gordon…and a Mike Smith playing better goal than last year. All of these factors will make for an interesting hockey game.

Oct 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) scores as Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu (9) and defenseman Matt Dumba (24) defend during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 20, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) passes the puck while being defended by New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The advantage here should go to the Arizona Coyotes, since the Senators may have heard of the “Dynamic Duo”, but haven’t played against them yet to see what they’re all about. They’ll get that opportunity tonight in Ottawa.

The Swedish players will be represented well in this game, with the Arizona Coyotes sporting four players hailing from there. Along with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Klas Dahlbeck, Nicklas Grossmann, and Anders Lindback are all from Sweden. Erik Karlsson will be outnumbered, but I doubt that he is worried. Karlsson, who has won not one, but two Norris trophies, by beating out some pretty good competition in P.K Subban, Drew Doughty, and Duncan Keith for the coveted awards.

This is not to say that Oliver Ekman-Larsson won’t give him some stiff competition this season for the award. Oliver had a pretty good year last season, being the go-to guy on the blue-line after Keith Yandle was dealt to the New York Rangers for forward prospect Anthony Duclair.

He was the leading scorer for the team last season, which wasn’t the best season (in fact it was the WORST SEASON). And, he excelled by scoring ten power play goals, and also had seven game winners. In addition, he had that near center ice short-handed goal which made many highlight reels.

Erik Larsson may have the hardware to prove he’s been the best defenseman in the NHL, but Oliver Ekman-Larsson is right on his heels… or skates, or whatever.

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