Mike Smith stellar as Coyotes beat Flyers in physical, playoff atmosphere

The Arizona Coyotes won a physical matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers thanks to 34 saves from Mike Smith.

Mar 26, 2016, 11:31 PM

Philadelphia Flyers' Wayne Simmonds (17) is restrained by linesman Greg Devorski (54) as he tries to go after Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Flyers 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Coyotes goalie coach Jon Elkin noted on Thursday how goalie Louis Domingue’s stellar play has created a positive yet competitive situation between Domingue and starter Mike Smith.

There was no arguing that after Smith stopped 34 of 35 shots to pace the Coyotes to a 2-1 win over the Flyers on Saturday at Gila River Arena, but the competitive situation isn’t isolated in goal. With roster spots and contracts on the line, Arizona is playing some of its best hockey of the season.

The Coyotes are 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Among those wins were victories over current playoff teams Florida, San Jose, Dallas and Philadelphia.

Against the Flyers, a team fighting for a playoff spot, Arizona showed plenty of fight. Shane Doan scored his 26th goal of the season, Michael Stone added a goal before the second-period buzzer and the Coyotes went toe to toe with the physical Flyers.

“It was a playoff-like mentality out there,” said Smith, who has stopped 165 of 171 shots for a .965 save percentage in five games since returning from a three-month absence due to abdominal surgery. “They were fighting for their lives, fighting for a playoff spot. We want to play like we’re in the playoffs right now so we want to get used to playing in those games.

“If we want to move forward and be a playoff team, I think we need to match that intensity.”

Saturday’s game was marred by penalties and non-penalties in the third period. Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas delivered a forearm and hip to Doan’s head as Doan went to his knees and collided with the boards. Stone got his left leg tied up with Michael Raffl in the corner and had to be helped to the dressing room. Neither returned.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux also left the game after Coyotes center Martin Hanzal pushed him into the boards on a play where Giroux admitted he was off balance.

“When someone goes after your captain that’s usually what happens,” Hanzal said, referencing the earlier hit on Doan. “It’s our captain. We want to stick up for him.”

Giroux went through concussion protocol but Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said he felt “pretty good” after the game. Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said Doan was held out as a precaution but seems fine. Stone was still being evaluated but Tippett said it did not look good.

The Coyotes were angry about Gudas’ hit, especially after Hanzal got a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct.

“Someone should explain to me how one is a five-minute and one is not,” Tippett said. “The hit on Doan is a blatant attempt (to injure). After Shane’s on the wall… it’s the elbow and the hip and looking down at Shane’s head with a guy who has had a history of that.”

Stone’s game-winning goal came on a shot from the point that found an open net. Flyers goalie Steve Mason was so concerned with a battle between Coyotes left winger Max Domi and Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning in the slot that he forgot to tend his goal.

The Flyers challenged the play for goaltender interference because Manning shoved Domi into Mason. Mason said his mask was twisted so he couldn’t see the play but officials ruled it a good goal.

“I thought Louis Domingue had the best line of all because he learned that through experience,” Tippett said. “Keep playing. Don’t take your mask off or don’t try to take your mask off.”

As Domi skated away from Mason, Domi was caught on the cameras laughing at the goaltender while Mason pleaded his case with the referee.

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