If the Arizona Coyotes are to improve to 4-0 against the Calgary Flames this season, they'll need to end the longest road losing streak in franchise history.
The Coyotes look to avoid an 11th consecutive road defeat Friday night against the Flames, who are trying to win back-to-back home games for the first time in more than two months.
It appeared Arizona would prevent its road slide from reaching a club-record 10 games Wednesday, but the visitors failed to hold a 2-0 lead en route to a 3-2 overtime loss to Vancouver.
''It's certainly frustrating,'' forward Alex Tanguay said. ''When you are up 2-0 on the road you have to make sure you play solid, you don't get lost, you play the position."
Losers of nine of 10 overall, the Coyotes (28-32-7) have totaled 18 non-shootout goals in the last 12 road games.
Tanguay has been one of the few offensive bright spots with two goals and three assists in three games since coming over from Colorado on Feb. 29. Tanguay, who spent five seasons over two stints with Calgary, assisted on Arizona's third power-play goal in 11 road contests Wednesday.
"He makes good plays," coach Dave Tippett told the Coyotes' official website. "There (are) plays that are there that some players make and some don't, and he has a knack of making good plays ... He's contributed since he's got here. That's good to see."
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a goal in each of the Coyotes' first three meetings with Calgary (28-34-5), but the team points leader could miss a second straight contest with an upper-body injury.
Louis Domingue has posted a 3.75 goals-against average during his 0-8-1 road losing streak but stopped 51 of 53 shots in the last two against the Flames.
Two points behind Arizona, Calgary has earned one in three straight contests and ended an 0-1-2 home skid with Wednesday's 3-2 overtime victory over Nashville. Johnny Gaudreau scored twice in a 10-second span of the first period and assisted on Mikael Backlund's winner.
Calgary hasn't won two in a row at home since an 11-game run Nov. 5-Dec. 27. It last won two straight overall during a three-game winning streak Feb. 6-11.
"We have to play our hardest every single game," Gaudreau told the NHL's official website. "There are a lot of expectations in this locker room to finish the season out strong, get a good summer in and be ready for next year."
With 66 points in 66 games, Gaudreau has surpassed his 64 from last season's stellar rookie season. A league-high 48 of those points have come at home.
''I just love playing in front of our fans,'' said Gaudreau, whose 26 goals are two more than last season. ''Whether we lose or win, they're proud of us. So for me, the best gift to give back to them in a losing season is work my hardest each night and show them some creativity and excitement.''
Though Gaudreau was shut out in a 4-1 loss at Arizona on Feb. 12, he has two goals and two assists in the last three at home against the Coyotes.
