The Arizona Coyotes were playing in the second of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights when they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Goaltender Mike Smith said post-game that his team didn’t have the right attitude going into the game.
“We played the first two periods like we expected to be tired ... tired is a bad excuse,” Smith told NHL.com’s Curtis Zupke.
Kyle Palmieri and Patrick Maroon had second period goals for the Ducks. Ryan Kesler had a pair of assists in the win.
The Ducks, who lead the Pacific Division, have picked up points in three straight games.
Keith Yandle had the lone goal for the Coyotes, who have just one win in their last four games.