The Edmonton Oilers won another game on Monday afternoon, defeating the Arizona Coyotes 5-3. It is their second consecutive victory, earning them 67 points on the season. The Vegas Golden Knights also won this afternoon, leaving the Oilers three points behind them in second place in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers haven’t played their best hockey since returning from the All-Star break, and today’s triumph was no exception. They failed to play a complete 60 minutes, leaving them down 3-2 entering the final period. Nonetheless, they managed to walk away with a significant two points while handing the Coyotes their tenth consecutive loss. Here are three key lessons from this one.
FAMILY DAY DUB 🫶
The #Oilers defeat the Coyotes 6-3 at Mullett Arena. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/KG5dgWpksg
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 19, 2024
The Oilers had a big third period.
While the Oilers were clearly the superior of the two teams in the last period, this was not the case throughout the game. They came out strong in the first and should have gone into the locker room with a larger advantage than 2-1. However, their second period was terrible, as they failed to create offensive opportunities while providing the Coyotes with numerous grade ‘A’ scoring chances.
The Oilers, as they frequently do, were able to dig themselves out of a deficit in the third period, owing in large part to Evander Kane, who scored two goals to bring his season total to 21. Zach Hyman also scored in the third, and Warren Foegele sealed it late with an empty netter. If they want to go deep into the playoffs, they must play the final 20 minutes as if they were playing the entire 60.
Oilers Rough Up Villalta.
The Coyotes, who were also in play yesterday night against the Colorado Avalanche, gave Matthew Villalta his NHL debut today afternoon. Playing in your first NHL game is never easy for a goaltender, especially against a team with the firepower that the Oilers have on their lineup.
While Villalta made some key saves, he was heavily tested, surrendering five goals on 25 shots for a.800 save %. It remains to be seen whether he will make another start for the Coyotes this season, as Connor Ingram has missed the last three games but is scheduled to return soon.
Oilers’ Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard have maintained their recent point streak. Each is on a four-game scoring streak. McDavid hasn’t scored in six straight games, but he has 12 assists during his current streak. Over the same time period, Draisaitl has three goals and eight points, while Bouchard has three goals and nine.
McDavid now has 83 points this season, trailing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov by 11 for the league lead. Bouchard currently has 53 points, putting him sole control of sixth place in the league among defensemen.
Looking ahead for the Oilers
The Oilers will now return to Edmonton to begin a five-game homestand, beginning with a game on Wednesday night against one of the league’s finest, the Boston Bruins. They will then face the Minnesota Wild on Friday before finishing the week with a Saturday night game against the Calgary Flames.
