Arizona @ Edmonton preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2019 ) Arizona 3, Edmonton 2

The Arizona Coyotes are trying to remain relevant in the Western Conference playoff race and can take a step in the right direction with a victory over the host Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Arizona started a three-game road trip with a 5-2 loss at Calgary on Monday and is one of four teams within three points of Minnesota for the second wild-card spot.

"Right now, our goal should be getting above .500, and then it should be getting to 10 games above .500," Arizona's Jordan Weal told reporters on Monday after scoring his first goal in a Coyotes uniform. "You've got to get to 90 points, 92 points. I think it's going to be the line this year, especially with how tight it is on this side (Western Conference). If we can get to that 92 points, then you're going to give yourself a good chance." Edmonton has been outscored 16-6 during its four-game losing streak and is 1-8-2 in its last 11 contests, falling to 14th place in the West - four points behind Arizona. "For us, it's important not to get discouraged," Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse told reporters after Saturday's 5-2 road loss against the New York Islanders. "Bring that hard-working attitude each and every day. We need to limit, obviously, the chances that we give up and find a way to get on the right side of the scoresheet. We're doing a lot of things right, but at the same time, we're not getting the results." Edmonton could receive a lift from defenseman Andrej Sekera, who was recalled from a conditioning stint at Bakersfield of the American Hockey League (plus-5, two assists in five games) and could be cleared to make his season debut after tearing an Achilles tendon during the offseason.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE COYOTES (26-28-5): Rookie Conor Garland (12 goals, three assists in 32 games this season) scored on Monday, giving him four goals in his last 10 games. Alex Galchenyuk (13 goals, 32 points) has collected four goals and six points in his last five contests after recording an assist versus Calgary. Richard Panik (11 goals, 24 points, career-high 16 minutes, 52 seconds average ice time) missed his second straight game on Monday (illness) but is expected to rejoin the team in Edmonton.

ABOUT THE OILERS (24-29-5): Edmonton's top line featuring captain Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continues to produce despite the club's losing ways. McDavid had his eight-game point streak halted in Friday's 3-1 loss at Carolina but has collected 13 points (11 assists) in his last 10 games while Draisaitl (35 goals, 69 points) has scored 11 goals in his last 10 contests. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18 goals, 53 points) has registered two tallies and five assists in his last seven games but owns a minus-6 rating during that span.

OVERTIME

1. Arizona has gone 12-for-13 on the penalty kill over its last five games, improving the league's best unit to 85.4 percent.

2. The Oilers are 0-7-3 in their last 10 contests when playing on two or more days of rest.

3. The clubs split the first two of their four meetings this season, with Arizona prevailing at Edmonton 3-2 on Jan. 12 in the last encounter behind two goals from Garland.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Oilers 2