Arizona Coyotes vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions November 29th 2024

Oilers Ready to Resume Momentum

The Edmonton Oilers will look to build on their 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers last Saturday as they hit the road for a three-game trip, starting with a clash against the Utah Hockey Club on Friday in Salt Lake City.

The Oilers, sitting at 2-2-1 in their last five outings, benefitted from standout performances in their last game. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl led the charge, with McDavid recording two goals and an assist, and Draisaitl continuing his hot streak with a goal in his third consecutive game.

“Our group played well in all aspects of the game,” McDavid said. “The penalty kill was great, and five-on-five, we were able to generate a lot, which is good.”

Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 16 goals and 30 points in 22 games this season, while McDavid has tallied 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in his last eight contests.

Injury Updates and Lineup Adjustments

The Oilers will be without key forwards Zach Hyman and Viktor Arvidsson due to undisclosed injuries, but both are traveling with the team and could return for Edmonton’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights next Tuesday.

Stuart Skinner, expected to start in goal, has been solid in his career against the Utah franchise, boasting a perfect 3-0-0 record with a 2.65 goals-against average.

Utah Struggling to Build Momentum

The Utah Hockey Club, formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes, enters Friday’s game looking for consecutive wins for the first time since opening the season with three straight victories. They earned a hard-fought 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Mikhail Sergachev scored the game-winner in overtime, while Dylan Guenther and Jack McBain added goals. McBain has now scored in three straight games, solidifying his role as a key offensive contributor.

“It’s not always going to be pretty,” Sergachev said. “You have to go to the net, take shots, and get elbowed in the face, but you have to push through, and I feel like our guys are doing that right now.”

However, Utah has faced challenges in consistency. Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury after leaving Tuesday’s game, though he practiced on Thursday.

Key Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers

• Leon Draisaitl: Leads the team with 16 goals and is riding a three-game goal streak.
• Connor McDavid: Has 18 points in his last eight games and continues to dominate offensively.
• Stuart Skinner: A perfect 3-0-0 against Utah’s franchise, Skinner looks to keep his record intact.

Utah Hockey Club

• Dylan Guenther: Leads the team with 10 goals and has 20 points in 22 games.
• Jack McBain: On a three-game goal streak and playing with confidence.
• Karel Vejmelka: The goaltender boasts a .922 save percentage this season but has struggled historically against Edmonton.

Matchup Outlook

Friday marks the first of three meetings this season between Edmonton and Utah. Both teams have areas to prove: the Oilers aim to shake off any rust from their extended layoff, while Utah looks to establish consistency and climb out of their mid-season slump.

Can Edmonton maintain their offensive momentum, or will Utah’s improving defensive play deliver an upset? Fans can expect an intense battle as these division rivals clash in Salt Lake City.