Flames 4, Coyotes 1
Mikael Backlund scored in his fourth consecutive game while Sean Monahan and David Jones each recorded a goal and an assist as visiting Calgary beat Arizona for the fourth time in as many meetings this season.
Captain Mark Giordano also tallied while fellow defenseman Dennis Wideman and Lance Bouma notched two assists apiece as the Flames improved to 2-0-0 on their five-game road trip. Monahan ended his 13-game goalless drought with an empty-net tally and rookie Joni Ortio followed up a shutout in his season debut with a 27-save performance.
Mikkel Boedker matched Backlund by scoring in his fourth straight contest, but that's all the Coyotes could mount in absorbing their third defeat in a row. Mike Smith made 21 saves while allowing at least three goals for the eighth time in his last nine starts.
Following a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Backlund put Calgary ahead 1:03 into the second period with a wrist shot from above the right faceoff circle that sailed over Smith's pad and inside the near post. Boedker continued his tear and tied it 11 1/2 minutes later with a turnaround shot from the right circle.
Monahan was denied in tight by Smith early in the third, but Jones pounced on a long rebound and buried a forehand glove side for a 2-1 lead with 15:09 to play. Giordano added an insurance tally with a blast from the top of the slot that beat a screened Smith with 4:02 remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Backlund has recorded four goals and two assists in four contests since returning from a 29-game absence. ... Boedker also has registered six points (five goals) during his four-game streak. ... Calgary failed on two power-play opportunities to fall to 4-for-47 over its last 14 games. ... Arizona recalled G Mike Lee from Gwinnett of the ECHL following the trade of Devan Dubnyk to Minnesota.