Flyers host Coyotes, aiming for back-to-back wins
PHILADELPHIA -- After pulling out an improbable shootout win over the injury-depleted Buffalo Sabres with a third-period goal-scoring spree Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers (3-3-1) will look to string together their first back-to-back wins of the season Thursday night against the struggling Arizona Coyotes (1-5-0).
The Coyotes' only win this season came in their season opener against the Flyers on Oct. 15. Since then they've dropped consecutive road games against the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
No team in the NHL has fewer points (2) than the Coyotes, who return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Goaltending has been a major issue for Arizona head coach Dave Tippett, who will be without starter Mike Smith for at least another week with a lower body injury. Louis Domingue (0-4-0, 5.03 goals-against average, .851 save percentage) has struggled in Smith's absence and third-stringer Justin Peters fared no better Tuesday night in his first NHL start since he was a member of the Capitals in 2014-15.
Peters allowed four goals on 34 shots against the Devils.
"We need more saves," Tippett said. "We need more saves to stabilize our group, and we need sustained ability to stay with the game for longer periods of time. If we do that, we'll be fine."
The Coyotes stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the score on back-to-back, third-period goals by defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, only to see Travis Zajac win it for the Devils with a power-play goal with 2:01 remaining in regulation.
"That's a save I have to come up with," Peters said. "Crucial time of the game, obviously. There's such a fine line between winning and losing."
The Flyers learned just as much Tuesday night. Playing on consecutive nights, they trailed 3-0 after two periods. Third-period goals from rookie forward Travis Konecny, center Brayden Schenn and defenseman Mark Streit forced overtime before Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek won it with a pair of shootout goals.
"It's important, of course," Voracek said of returning with some energy Thursday night. "Five games in seven nights, if I'm not mistaken. It's going to be tough, but everybody's got to go through that stretch. I like it better when you play the games instead of sitting out for a week. It's tough. But, I think we're skating pretty well."
The Flyers were given Wednesday off and expect Steve Mason to return to the net. Mason replaced Michael Neuvirth in the second period and stopped all 10 shots he faced, including two in the shootout.
Before Thursday night's game, the Flyers will honor some of the most beloved players in their history, including Hockey Hall of Famers Bill Barber, Bernie Parent, Bob Clarke, Mark Howe and Eric Lindros.
The game could feature former Flyer and current Coyote Ryan White facing his old team. White played parts of two seasons in Philadelphia before signing with the Coyotes.