Coyotes/Oilers – Preview
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Edmonton Oilers
Jobing.com Arena – Glendale, Arizona
Puck Drops at 7:30PM PM Arizona Time
TV: FSN AZ – RADIO: XTRA 910
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Last five games:
Oilers: 2 – 3 – 0
Coyotes: 4 – 1 – 0
Last ten games:
Oilers: 2 – 7 – 1
Coyotes: 7 – 3 – 0
| Point Leaders | |
| Oilers | Penner(45), Gagner(35), O’Sullivan(30) |
| Coyotes | Doan(43), Lombardi(35), Vrbata(34) |
| Goal Leaders | |
| Oilers | Penner(22), Gagner(14,) O’Sullivan(12) |
| Coyotes | Upshall(18), Vrbata(18), Doan(17) |
| Assists Leaders | |
| Oilers | Penner(23), Visnovsky(21), Gagner(21) |
| Coyotes | Doan(26),Lombardi(25), Yandle(20) |
The Coyotes return home from their four game road trip to host the Edmonton Oilers at the Job. This will be the third of four meetings between the two teams this season with the Oilers and the Coyotes each winning a game in this series.
The Edmonton Oilers are indeed one of the worst teams in the league this season but it’s not just for lack of talent. At this point in the season, the Edmonton Oilers have lost well over 330 man games to injury to key personnel. The team that remains has been anything but stellar with much of the current healthy roster not playing anywhere near to their potential, thus the win/loss record you see.
So far this season the Oilers have gotten thoroughly beaten not only by numerous opponents but themselves. They’ve been playing so badly the press is tired of writing about it, they’ve gone through three bag skates….
Hockey 101 – A Bag Skate is a team practice made of repetitive, strenuous skating drills and sprints, usually without pucks.
…and they just don’t seem to care about being competitive.
On the flip side the Coyotes have the opportunity to make a statement of beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. Numerous times this season the Coyotes failed to beat the teams they were supposed to beat (like the Lightning, Canadiens, etc). This the first time they can actually play up to their potentials against a team that will be gunning for them and aren’t playing anywhere near to their potentials.
Things to watch for:
- Keith Yandle – Since getting snubbed by USA Hockey for the 2010 Men’s Olympic hockey team he has been on a TEAR notching points and playing some amazing hockey.
- The Edmonton Oilers – What team is going to come out tonight? A competitive team or one that just doesn’t care about anything.
Keys to the game:
Pedal to the metal and don’t let up – Even though the Oilers are having one of their worst seasons ever, doesn’t mean the Coyotes should treat this game as an easy win. They need to come out like any other game and show their dominance.
Defense – Keep up the amazing play as of late. Keeping the Oilers off the scoreboard is a must tonight.
Get to Oilers Goaltender Jeff Deslauriers early and often – Deslauriers has been playing pretty well for the Oilers in place of injured goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. However, his team has hung him out to dry on numerous occasions. This must be taken advantage of.
Game Notes:
- Sam Gagner flew back to Edmonton today to consult with Oilers medical staff about his injured knee.
Officials:
Referees: #2 Kerry Fraser; #29 Ian Walsh
Linesmen: #57 Jay Sharrers; #88 Mike Cvik
Injuries:
Coyotes: Kurt Sauer, Scottie Upshall
Oilers: Nikolai Khabibulin, Ales Hemsky, Ryan Stone, Steve Staios, Ladislav Smid, Sheldon Souray, Sam Gagner
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