Despite an effort that saw them double the Arizona Coyotes up on shots, the Flyers on Saturday still fell 2-1, ending their four-game road swing.
The Orange and Black were barely able to figure out Mike Smith, who turned away 34 of 35 shots faced. They held the Coyotes (34-34-7) to just 17 shots — including four in the third period — but had several plays go against them and could not generate offense.
Sean Couturier finally figured Smith out with 40 seconds to play on a power-play goal, but it would prove to be insufficient. The Flyers' power play was able to continue by virtue of a Martin Hanzal major penalty, but were not able to tie the game in the latter stages and guarantee themselves at least one point.
Both teams combined for just 11 shots after the first intermission, and though the Flyers (36-25-15) took control through much of the second (which saw them record 16 shots), longtime Coyotes captain Shane Doan opened the scoring at 15:37 with his 26th goal of the season.
Michael Stone added the second Coyotes goal, just before the horn could sound to end the second stanza. The play required two separate reviews — one to confirm that the goal was scored before time expired (it did, leaving half a second on the clock), and a Flyers challenge, as it was alleged that Steve Mason was interfered on the play.
Of the 13 penalties whistled in the game, six came in the last 2:15 of game time. Hanzal's hit on Claude Giroux along the half-wall in the Flyers' zone (which left the Flyers' captain shaken) triggered a scrum that saw Wayne Simmonds earn a misconduct and Brayden Schenn earn a roughing minor. Ryan White and Oliver Ekman-Larsson also tangled after Couturier's goal, and both were dismissed with misconducts.
Both Coyotes goal scorers also left the game to injury in the third stanza. Doan had left with an upper-body injury after a hit from Radko Gudas, while Stone had left with a lower-body injury. Ekman-Larsson had left with an upper-body injury as well, but ultimately returned to game action.
Couturier's goal was the only man-advantage tally for the Flyers, and they finished 1-for-5. Doan's goal was the Coyotes' lone power-play marker, on three opportunities.
The Flyers return home on Monday, hosting the Winnipeg Jets to continue their playoff push. They maintain their grip on the second wild card spot, as Detroit fell to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
