NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Coyotes vs Oilers (Friday, April 12)
(Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) Pictured: Leon Draisaitl.
Coyotes vs. Oilers Odds
| Coyotes Odds | +230 |
| Oilers Odds | -280 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -105o / -115u |
Here's everything you need to know about Arizona Coyotes vs Edmonton Oilers on Friday, April 12 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Coyotes vs. Oilers odds have Edmonton as a -280 favorite on the moneyline, while the over/under is set at 6.5 goals. However, we are going to dive into the player prop market for this game.
Find out how I will be backing Leon Draisaitl as I make a Coyotes vs. Oilers prediction for Friday.
It has been yet another tough year for Arizona, which sits near the basement of the Central Division once again.
Poor defensive play is the main culprit for those results, as the Coyotes surrender high-danger scoring chances at a high rate. At 5-on-5, they rank 21st in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Not only does this team struggle at even strength, but special teams has also been an issue, as the Coyotes rank in the bottom six in both penalty minutes taken per game and penalty-kill percentage.
Backing up this defensively poor group is goaltender Karel Vejmelka, who has predictably struggled to deal with the product in front of him. Through 36 appearances in the crease this season, Vejmelka is 12-19-2 with a fade-worthy .893 SV% and 3.40 GAA.
Entering this matchup in particularly poor form, Vejmelka has surrendered four or more goals in three consecutive starts. He possesses a troubling a .810 SV% and 5.01 GAA over that stretch.
With this combination of poor defensive play and goaltending, it is not shocking that Arizona ranks 25th in goals allowed per game.
All of those aforementioned variables bode well for superstar forward Leon Draisaitl, who can be found at +105 via BetRivers to find the back of the net Friday evening. A big storyline for this game is the health of Connor McDavid, who is questionable with a lower-body injury after missing Wednesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
However, Edmonton did not miss a beat as it still won 5-1, with one of those five goals coming from Draisaitl. So, even if McDavid isn't good to go, I'm not worried about Draisaitl's ability to produce.
Not only does Draisaitl rank second on the team in goals, but he is first in power-play goals with over 50% of his scoring coming on the man-advantage. I mention that because the power play is highly likely to come into play against the Coyotes, given those special teams rankings highlighted in the previous section.
Draisaitl also enters this contest in great form, scoring in eight of his past 12 games.
Coyotes vs. Oilers
Betting Pick & Prediction
Draisaitl's success is likely to continue against Arizona, a team he has utterly dominated over the past few years. He has now notched six goals over the past six meetings between these two teams — and Vejmelka was in net for two of those six outings. Draisaitl scored in each of those two games.
Speaking of Vejmelka, he is 0-3 against the Oilers in his career with a .842 SV% and 5.72 GAA. If Edmonton is to light the lamp all night once again, then I find it hard to believe Draisaitl won't be involved.
Pick: Leon Draisaitl Anytime Goalscorer (+105 at BetRivers | Play to +100)
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