Arizona Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks Prediction, Preview, and Odds

Tonight we have a fun matchup to start off November with the the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Arizona Coyotes. These were two of the worst teams in the NHL last season and they’ve both improved and have been fun to watch in the start of this year. This is the second game between these teams this season after the Coyotes won the first game 2-1 at home on October 21st. In the three games between these teams last season, the Yotes went 1-1-1, losing 5-2 on the road, losing 2-1 in overtime, and then winning 5-4 in overtime. The puck drops at 10:00 p.m. EST at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Coyotes look to build off huge 8-1 blowout win against the Blackhawks

The Arizona Coyotes were horrible last season but showed signs of being a pain for teams to play against and that’s even more evident so far through the start of this season. They’re 4-4 on the year and after two losses in their home and home against the LA Kings, the Yotes are coming off an 8-1 blowout win at home against the Blackhawks on Monday night. They dominated Chicago, outshooting them just 33-30 but outplaying the Hawks by an expected goal rate of 5.14-1.57.

Arizona’s offense has been pretty good to start the season. So far this year they’ve scored an average of 3.38 goals per game, the eleventh-most in the NHL, on an average of 28.4 shots per game. They’ve generated the twelfth-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.22) and the 14th-fewest high-danger shots in the league. They’re led in scoring by Clayton Keller (8 points, 4 goals) and Nick Schmaltz (6 assists).

Arizona’s been shockingly good defensively this season, allowing an average of just 2.63 goals per game, the seventh-fewest in the NHL, on an average of 32 shots allowed per game. They’ve given up just the third-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.72) and the fewest high-danger shots in the league. Karel Vejmelka is projected to start in goal tonight. He was great last year in front of a pretty poor defense and this year he’s 2-3 with a 2.51 GAA and a .926 save percentage.

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Ducks on an impressive four-game win streak

The Anaheim Ducks were awful last year despite having some really talented and fun players to watch on their roster. They’re off to a hot start to this year with a 5-4 record, coming into tonight’s game on an impressive four-game win streak on the road as they return home. They defeated the Penguins 4-3 in Pittsburgh on Monday night, getting the win despite getting outshot 42-27 and getting dominated by the Pens by an expected goal rate of 6.74-3.01.

The Ducks have a lot of talent on offense which has shined so far through their start to the season. They have scored an average of 3.22 goals per game, the 14th-most in the NHL, on an average of 28 shots per game. They’ve generated the 14th-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.98) and the eleventh-most high-danger shots in the league. Mason McTavish (11 points), Frank Vatrano (9 goals), and Ryan Strome (9 assists) lead them in scoring this season.

Anaheim’s improved quite a bit defensively, allowing an average of 3 goals per game, the 13th-fewest in the NHL, on an average of 32.2 shots allowed per game. They’ve given up the third-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.64) and the eleventh-most high-danger shots. Lukas Dostal is projected to start in goal tonight. He’s 4-1 this season with a 2.79 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

Best Bets

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

I give the Coyotes a pretty big defensive edge in this matchup and I expect them to get their second win against the Ducks this season, this time on the road. Arizona’s been impressive defensively this season. They’ve allowed just the seventh-fewest goals in the NHL, the third-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.72), and the fewest high-danger shots in the league. Meanwhile, Anaheim has allowed the 13th-fewest goals but they’ve given up given up the third-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.64) and the eleventh-most high-danger shots. I think the price is right here at -120 and I like the Yotes to end the Ducks win streak.

Take the Yotes to win on the road here.

Prediction: Coyotes ML (-120)

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

I really like the over in this game as both of these teams have been good offensively to start the season. The Coyotes have scored the eleventh-most goals in the NHL, on an average of 28.4 shots per game. They’ve generated the twelfth-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.22). The Ducks have scored the 14th-most goals in the NHL, on an average of 28 shots per game. They’ve generated the 14th-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.98) and the eleventh-most high-danger shots in the league. I expect both teams to be able to score here to put this matchup over the 6.5.

Take the over and expect plenty of goals.