The set-up: The 23-15-7 Edmonton Oilers will host the 13-23-6 Arizona Coyotes, looking to make it three wins in a row on the team's current six-game homestand. Edmonton (53) is one point ahead of San Jose (52) for second place in the Pacific, while the Coyotes sit in last-place (7th) in the division and only Colorado's 27 points are fewer than Arizona's total of 32.

Arizona: The Coyotes are beginning a three-game road trip after being denied a third consecutive victory by visiting Anaheim on Saturday. The Coyotes were shut out for the fourth time this season (3-0) and the second time this month, as they failed to complete a sweep of their three-game homestand. Scoring has been a major issue this season, as Arizona ranks ahead of only Colorado (82) with 86 goals (2.05 per). The team has yet to have a player reach double digits in tallies, with Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal sharing the lead with nine apiece.

Edmonton: The Oilers opened their homestand with a loss to the Sharks but have posted back-to-back victories over New Jersey (in overtime) and Calgary (in a shootout) to improve to 4-1-1 in their last six at home.Patrick Maroon continues to enjoy a career season as he enters Monday's contest with seven goals in his last six games and a team-leading - and personal-best - 18 overall this campaign.

The pick: Edmonton'sir three remaining games on this homestand are all against teams that are below them in the standings. It's vital for the Oilers to take advantage of the favorable January schedule, because things will get awfully tough after this stretch, with the Oilers playing 12 of their next 16 on the road after this homestand. Arizona should play the perfect foil here, coming in 1-12-4 on the road, averaging just 1.95 GPG, while allowing 3.52. Make Edmonton an 8* play.