Do not take the Arizona Coyotes lightly, ever.
On Monday night, the Coyotes improved to 11-5-1 over the last 17 matches and defeated the visiting Calgary Flames, 5-2.
With the game tied, 2-2, heading to the third period, the Coyotes posted three 
unanswered goals in the frame to bury the Flames.
“We didn’t back off,” said Coyotes assistant John MacLean, who filled in for coach Rick Tocchet while Tocchet attended his mother’s funeral. “It wasn’t a friendly game. We started to dislike them a little bit and understand that it’s OK to dislike another team and push and push and push.”
Antti Raanta made 42 saves to get the win for Arizona who improved to 24-37-11.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Max Domi provided most of the offense with two strikes each in the win.
The loss dropped the Flames to 35-29-10 and leaves them six points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“I don’t think we’ve scored the big goals at the right times,” Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan said. “As far as effort and all of those other key indicators, we’re working, we’re generating opportunities, chances, shots in every game we play. We’re just not getting those key goals.”
Richard Panik also scored for the Coyotes.
Dougie Hamilton and Sean Monahan scored for the Flames who need wins and the loss in the desert damaged their post season chances.
“We just didn’t manage the puck when we had to in key moments,” the Flames’ Mark Giordano said after the game.
[WATCH: All Flames vs. Coyotes highlights]
Mike Smith made 25 saves in taking the loss.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating,” said Smith, who played 312 games for the Coyotes from 2011-17. “You have an opportunity to get some points here tonight and you let it slip away. It hurts.”
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