Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (No 89) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens during a breakaway in the first period at Gila River Arena in Glendale. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports.
Mikkel Boedker scored on a power play, a soft backhander that trickled in and into an empty net.
An interesting collection of goals for his first career hat-trick — and his team needed nearly all of them.Boedker scored two of his three goals in the third period and added an assist, helping the Arizona Coyotes outlast the winless Edmonton Oilers 7-4 on Wednesday night.
“It’s going to even out eventually, but when you’re hot, things tend to go in,” said Boedker, who has five goals in three games. “Right now, that’s the way it’s going and it’s a good feeling.”
The Coyotes played a solid defensive game in beating the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
They weren’t quite as good against Edmonton, giving up numerous good scoring chances in front of Mike Smith, who had some good moments but still gave up at least four goals for the second straight game.
Arizona made up for it by taking advantage of the defenseless Oilers with a by-committee scoring effort. Martin Erat had a goal and assist, while Connor Murphy, Kyle Chipchura and Rob Klinkhammer each scored goals. Shane Doan and Martin Hanzal each added a pair of assists for the Coyotes, who had 13 players with at least one point.
“That’s committee, but we need a good hard practice tomorrow, the committee does,” Arizona coach Dave Tippett said with a smile.Edmonton scored four goals for the second time in three games, but remains winless because of its shortcomings on defense.
The Oilers lost 6-1 to the Kings Tuesday night and were even worse against the Coyotes, watching as they scored one goal after another on Ben Scrivens.
Taylor Hall had two goals, and Marc Arcobello and Mark Fayne each scored for Edmonton, which has allowed 23 goals while opening the season 0-3-1.
“I like the effort, the guys are trying, but we just haven’t got the results yet,” Oilers coach Dallas Eakins said. The Coyotes needed nearly all their goals after a second straight shaky performance by Smith. Arizona’s No. 1 goalie said he felt uncomfortable in the season opener and it showed, giving up every goal in a 6-2 home loss to Winnipeg.