The Edmonton Oilers will be looking to extend their lead atop the Pacific Division standings with a fourth straight win when they kick off a home-and-home series with the Arizona Coyotes on Friday as -135 road favourites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Edmonton has rediscovered its offensive touch after struggling to find the back of the net during a recent five-game swoon, scoring 16 total goals in three games ahead of Friday night’s Oilers vs. Coyotes betting matchup at Gila River Arena.
The Oilers began their current tear with a 5-2 win in Dallas last Saturday, ending a four-game road losing streak against the Stars, and followed up with a stunning 5-0 home victory over the Chicago Blackhawks before handing the Colorado Avalanche a 6-3 beating on Wednesday.
Now the Oilers look to end a five-game losing streak in Arizona, part of a dismal 3-13 record in their past 16 visits to the desert.
The scene shifts to Rogers Place on Sunday, when the Coyotes shoot for a 13th victory in 15 visits to Edmonton. However, Arizona has stumbled badly in the first quarter of the NHL season, posting one win in its past five overall, while posting a meagre 2-6-2 road record.
The Winnipeg Jets, meanwhile, try to end a four-game slide when they open a home-and-home with the Nashville Predators on Friday as +175 road underdogs. The Jets sport two of the NHL’s leading scorers in Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine, but have scored just five total goals during their losing streak.
The Predators have won six of eight, and are 5-3 in eight against the Jets, including a pair of victories in Winnipeg, where the two teams meet on Sunday.
The Calgary Flames continue a six-game road trip in Boston on Friday, following a 2-0 win in Columbus as +150 underdogs on Wednesday. The Flames have won two of three on their current eastern swing, and four of six overall, while the Bruins return home after falling 3-1 to the Ottawa Senators as -125 road chalk on Thursday.
The Senators shoot for a third straight win on Saturday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes, who are coming off a 2-1 loss in Montreal on Thursday. Also on Saturday, the Canadiens aim to post consecutive wins for the first time in two weeks in a road matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to end a three-game slide as they host the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, while the Vancouver Canucks visit Dallas searching for an end to a six-game road losing streak.