Keys for the Coyotes to steal a win against the Oilers

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The Arizona Coyotes are about to embark on an uphill battle with the schedule. The team will need everyone to play the best hockey they can to win during a tough month. It starts tonight in Edmonton.

We already talked about the momentum that can be brought forward after the Coyotes last win in Arizona. Arizona is led by players like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Phil Kessel on the ice. We recently talked about the faith within the Coyotes locker room. Now is the time for the ‘Yotes to lean on the faith they have in each other.

The Coyotes are going to Edmonton tonight, they will face off against the top-seeded team in the Pacific Division. The time is now to make a mark in the standings and win now.

Edmonton is on a two-game win streak, after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets. This is Edmonton’s first of three home games in a row. So the team will be looking to start on the right foot for a home stand.

Edmonton is scary good offensively. It is a very rare thing that Conor McDavid does not lead the team in points. Right now that is the case, Leon Draisaitl has 26 points, 13 goals and 13 assists. Draisatl is averaging more than a point per game, so limiting him is going to be key for the Coyotes to win.

Arizona is a very good team defensively, and that is going to be how they win against the highly offensive Edmonton Oilers. The ‘Yotes are just coming off a very good defensively win against the Avalanche, so hopefully, they can take something from that.

We know how defensively sound the Coyotes can be. So we need to find the offensive upside for the Coyotes. One player that will factor in on the ‘Yotes success will be Alex Goligoski.

Since Oct. 17, Alex Goligoski’s 1-7-8 point total is tied for the second highest among all NHL defensemen 🔥🦢 pic.twitter.com/FZCCdG3pH7
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 3, 2019

Goligoski keeps finding a way to score big goals at big times. A big key for tonight’s game against the Oilers is going to be the defense factoring in for scoring opportunities. We need to help generate a net-front presence by shooting pucks from the point and getting traffic in front of Koskinen.

The Coyotes are going to need all the help they can get tonight against the top-ranked Edmonton Oilers. With that in mind here are 3 keys to the game tonight vs Edmonton!

BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 28: Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Arizona Coyotes stops Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres in the shootout during an NHL game on October 28, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Arizona won, 3-2. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Key 1 Start on time

The Arizona Coyotes are about to start a tough stretch of hockey. With the game on the road against a division rival leading the division right now, it is imperative that the Coyotes start on time.

The ‘Yotes are already at a disadvantage. The team is entering into a hostile arena without their home crowd to back them up. With that in mind, there is an even bigger emphasis on scoring early.

The Coyotes have found a way to never let the game get out of their hands, but that still does not mean they should not strive to start on time. With a game tomorrow against another division opponent it is even more important that the ‘Yotes start the game on the right foot tonight. Just think about the Coyotes last two games as an example.

When the Coyotes gave up the first goal against the Canadiens at home, they ended up losing the game. Playing with a lead is a lot different from playing from behind. Although the Coyotes have found success in the last few weeks no matter what the score is, that is not your main battle plan going into a game. The Coyotes are going to want to get the first goal tonight, something they did in their last win against the Colorado Avalanche.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Barrett Hayton #29 and Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes battle for the puck along the boards with Pierre-Eduard Bellemare #41 of the Colorado Avalanche at Gila River Arena on November 02, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Key 2 Win the defensive battle

The Arizona Coyotes know how good they are defensive. They rank second in the league with only 28 goals given up all season, and that number should continue to be around the lowest in the league.

Arizona has great defensive players on their team, like Oliver Ekman-Larsson and so many others. The team also has one of the top 10 most impressive players in the NHL in net tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.

Darcy Kuemper has been the backbone for the Coyotes all season long. He has the second-best save percentage in the NHL at .942, only Tukka Rask of the Boston Bruins is higher than him. If the Coyotes want to be the offensive-minded Edmonton Oilers, they need to limit the shots on goal of the Oilers.

"We really rely on our defensive hockey. It's something the guys hang their hat on."

Listen to @RealRocket22's thoughts leading into tonight's game: pic.twitter.com/tls0Qyuldi
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 4, 2019

Rick Tocchet spoke about making a statement tonight and the past few weeks before the game. The Coyotes are a team that plays well defensively and wins the game not by scoring goals, but rather by winning the defensive battle.

Arizona is going to need to limit the play of players like McDavid and Draisaitl if they want to win. You win games with your defense, and let’s hope tonight is an example of that success.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes prepares for a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Gila River Arena on November 02, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Key 3 Special teams needs to be an advantage or not a factor at all

Edmonton has a great special teams unit. From the power play to the penalty kill the Oilers are rock solid. Both are ranked high in the league and have been very effective. Not to say the Coyotes are not successful with the special teams, but against a really dynamic NHL team like Edmonton, the Coyotes are going to need to be rock solid.

Edmonton is a really good NHL team. We have talked a lot about succeeding on the power play or penalty kill for Arizona. Tonight against a really skilled Edmonton team I think the biggest factor for Arizona will be not taking any bad penalties.

Taking a penalty at a costly time loses all momentum, the team has only been shorthanded 38 times this season, well below the league average at 47, but that still does not mean the Coyotes can not be better. Tonight needs to be a clean game for the Coyotes because if they do give up a penalty you can bet that the Edmonton Oilers will capitalize on the situation.

Puck drop is only an hour away! Get ready for some Coyotes hockey!

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