NHL scores 2016: Oilers, Coyotes trending in opposite directions

Don’t look now, but the Edmonton Oilers just jumped the Anaheim Ducks for sole control of second place in the Pacific Division. Edmonton started their road trip with a big win over playoff contenders in St. Louis, and their victory over Arizona is now their fourth in five games.

Oh, and they’ve also done something they hadn’t been able to do in almost six years: beat the Coyotes in regulation.

Arizona’s streak matched the points streak the Flyers held against the Kings in the 70s and 80s. But, they fell short and the Coyotes dropped yet another game to bring their record as of late to six losses in their last nine.

It’s a tale of two Pacific Division teams trending in opposite directions. The Oilers are fast making their case for their first playoff bid since 2006. Connor McDavid is leading the NHL in points (40) and assists (28) as the team looks more complete than it has in years.

Arizona, on the other hand, are struggling on all sides of the puck. They’re third-last in the league with 74 goals-for, and tied for worst overall with 104 goals against.

Where the Oilers are playing with the confidence and poise of a team ready for its big playoff break, the Coyotes have none. Arizona spends most of their time chasing the puck instead of creating scoring opportunities for themselves. And when they do have the puck? They have one of the worst shooting percentages in the NHL.

So, while things are looking up for the Oilers, they keep spiraling for the Coyotes. All the while the universe continues on with its great balancing act.

Flyers 3, Capitals 2 (SO)
Oilers 3, Coyotes 2

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1. Braden Holtby hates shootouts like the rest of us

A pretty even game between the Flyers and Capitals went Philadelphia’s way in a close shootout. Both teams made mistakes, and the Capitals allowed the Flyers to come back twice in the game to eventually force the shootout. Washington goaltender Braden Holtby had a pretty great night overall with 36 saves through 65 minutes.

But of course, since the Capitals lost, Holtby had a bone to pick with the shootout format.

Holtby speaks for us all really.

2. Jakob Chychrun had a rough evening

The Oilers clearly had a game plan to go after the Coyotes rookie to mess with his game. Yet the rough and tough tactic turned into a pair of stoppages as Chychrun was roughed up not once but twice in Arizona’s loss.

Matt Hendricks got Chychrun at the end of the first period on a hard check into the boards.

Then Eric Gryba finished a double-team on Chychrun in the third that had Luke Schenn standing up for his teammate.

Things boiled over late in the third period when Zack Kassian went looking for a fight with a late cross-check to Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

So between the Coyotes’ frustration with being beaten bad at home and their disdain for the treatment of Chychrun, a late-night West Coast game turned into a scrappy one.

3. Noted Flyers fan Joe Biden had himself a nice ice cream cone

Honestly it was a slow night of hockey, but we were graced with the presence of Vice President Joe Biden at the Flyers game on Wednesday.

Yes, Biden is a Flyers fan. And a well-noted one.

Claude Giroux tied the Flyers back up late in the second to help Philadelphia get back in the win column.

The Metropolitan Division is bonkers, ladies and gentlemen.

Also, this is pretty great if I do say so myself.