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Flyers face Coyotes after five-day break

When the Flyers resume action Tuesday against Arizona at the Wells Fargo Center, they will try to avoid the same letdown that followed their last lengthy break.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)
Flyers captain Claude Giroux. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)Read more

When the Flyers resume action Tuesday against Arizona at the Wells Fargo Center, they will try to avoid the same letdown that followed their last lengthy break.

The Flyers are 12 points out of the Eastern Conference's last playoff spot with 34 games left, and they have little margin for error if they hope to play in the postseason.

"We've got to bear down, see what's at stake, and make a strong push here," said defenseman Andrew MacDonald, who got married in the Bahamas during the all-star break.

The Flyers scored an emotional 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, then had five days off for the all-star break before returning to practice Monday in Voorhees.

"At times, we play good hockey. Then at times, we get off page and lose games, a couple in a row and obviously that can't happen anymore," said defenseman Mark Streit, who, along with defensemen Luke Schenn, Nick Grossmann, and Ray Emery, attended MacDonald's wedding. "We've got to play the right way. Every game means the world to us right now."

As of late Monday afternoon, with heavy snow predicted by nightfall, the Flyers planned to play Tuesday, general manager Ron Hextall said.

The last time the Flyers had a lengthy break in the schedule - five days between games, from Nov. 8 to Nov. 14 - they returned and won just one of their next 11 games (1-8-2).

Coach Craig Berube said the Flyers must improve their penalty-killing and their first-period play if they are going to make a playoff push.

The Flyers have allowed the first goal in 11 of the last 14 games, and have been outscored in the first periods of those games, 15-5. They are 5-8-1 in that span.

The team's penalty kill is next to last in the league, having been successful just 74.4 percent of the time.

"Discipline-wise, I think penalties have gone up the last 20 games. We have to cut that back and get more disciplined," Berube said. "Just need the consistent effort from everybody. I thought we got it against Pittsburgh [the Flyers killed all six penalties], with the energy and the emotion in the game. We need that all the time."

Goalie Steve Mason, who has missed the last six games with an injured right knee, skated before practice Monday but is doubtful for Tuesday, although Hextall did not rule it out.

The Flyers are still missing three other injured players: defenseman Grossmann (right shoulder), who skated Monday but won't play Tuesday; defenseman Braydon Coburn (left foot); and center Scott Laughton (probable concussion).

Ryan White, signed as a free agent in the offseason, is expected to make his Flyers debut Tuesday. He had two goals and six points in 52 games with Montreal last season, and he can play either center or wing.

"I'm excited. Just hoping that weather permitting, we get that game going," said White, who was sidelined by a torn chest muscle (suffered while he was bench-pressing). He spent 11 games with the AHL Phantoms, collecting three points and 39 penalty minutes.

@BroadStBull