The Coyotes attracted plenty of attention for an offseason roster flip that included notable additions and subtractions, and their debut on the ice has been just as memorable.

They became only the second team in NHL history to start with 11 straight defeats and also tied the second-longest winless streak to open a season.

And their three points in October are the fewest in franchise history for the first month of a full-length season.

It was a historic stretch, albeit one worth forgetting.

And that’s exactly what the Coyotes are trying to do as they return home to host the Sabres on Thursday at Gila River Arena after completing a challenging five-game, East Coast road trip.

“Just flush it away and then reboot yourself,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “I think that’s the key.”

Arizona remains last in the NHL at 1-10-1 with a 4-3 overtime win over Philadelphia on Monday the outlier of the bunch. Even that, though, required perseverance as the Flyers scored twice in the final minute of regulation to force extra time before defenseman Alex Goligoski converted the game-winner to secure the win.

“It was big,” Tocchet said. “I was really happy for a lot of the young guys because it’s taxing when you lose. It’s like the world on your shoulder. I think the attitude of everybody on the team really propelled that win because we never game.”

But the success didn’t sustain the Coyotes, who were flat the next night in Detroit – capping off their road swing with a 5-3 setback to the Red Wings on Tuesday that positioned the team at another critical juncture.

Although the first 10 games of the season were a struggle, the start of the next 10-game segment has been more encouraging.

Tocchet felt the team was in control last Saturday against the Devils, an eventual 4-3 stinger as New Jersey rallied with two goals in the third. The Coyotes were better against the Flyers but didn’t battle enough against the Red Wings.

“There’s gotta be mental toughness on and off the ice,” Tocchet said. “That’s something that we’re going to always work on – that mental toughness, that fortitude of whether you’re down a goal or up a goal, be consistent.”

What has been a constant to start the season is the proficiency of winger Clayton Keller, who was crowned the NHL Rookie of the Month on Wednesday after leading all first-year players in goals (9) and points (15) in October.

“He’s doing it in crunch time,” Tocchet said. “The points he’s getting are under crucial times in games. That really says a lot for me.”

This debut has undoubtedly bolstered Keller’s candidacy for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie and helped stabilize a legit No. 1 line that also includes winger Max Domi and Derek Stepan. But Keller’s emergence hasn’t completely overshadowed the team’s growing pains.

“It’s been a really tough start for us,” Keller said. “I’m not really focused on my individual game. I’m focused on playing my game every single night and doing everything I can to contribute and help the team out as much as I can. No matter our record or wherever we are, I’m just going to go into every game the same way and do whatever I can to help this team win.”

Arizona’s goals-against average per game (4.31) and save percentage (.866) still rank worst in the league. The crease and blue line, however, could be in store for another makeover.

Goalie Antti Raanta, who has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury Oct.12, is close to a return, Tocchet said. Either he or Scott Wedgewood, whom the team acquired in a trade last week with the Devils, will start Thursday, as the Coyotes assigned goalie Hunter Miska to the American Hockey League Wednesday. The team also recalled goalie Louis Domingue but only as a paper transaction; he’s on the roster but won’t rejoin the team.

“Scott’s done a nice job,” Tocchet said. “He’s a pretty calm goalie. … He’s stopping the stuff he should stop. I think he’s a good addition for us.”

The Coyotes also added defenseman Dakota Mermis, while returning defenseman Joel Hanley to the Tucson Roadrunners. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and Tocchet doesn’t think Hjalmarsson will play the rest of this week.

“That one really hurts,” Tocchet said.

As for defenseman Jakob Chychrun, he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery and has skated two-to-three times.

“He’s doing a lot of reps,” Tocchet said. “He looks pretty good. He looks pretty good. I don’t know the timeframe, but he’s definitely made some strides.”

Roster turnover like this has headlined the Coyotes’ start just as much as their slump and while that skid was unique, adversity isn’t.

And as the team gets deeper into its schedule, how the Coyotes respond will help reveal their potential.

“By now, everybody knows what everybody expects from each other,” Tocchet said. “I think the 10 games is over. Now there’s no more excuses. ‘Wow, it’s a new system. Wow, it’s new players.’ Now I think you gotta start to really step up your game. I’m talking everybody – coaches, players, everybody.”

MORE:Coyotes rookie Keller attributes fast start to late-season call up

Thursday's game

Sabres at Coyotes

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Gila River Arena.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Arizona/KMVP-FM (98.7).

Outlook: After returning home from a five-game, East Coast road trip that delivered the Coyotes their first win but also continued their early season struggles, the team switched up its roster Wednesday. Arizona recalled defenseman Dakota Mermis from the American Hockey League along with goalie Louis Domingue, although Domingue's recall is only a paper transaction, as he won't rejoin the team but is on the roster. The Coyotes also sent defenseman Joel Hanley and goalie Hunter Miska to the Tucson Roadrunners. Either Antti Raanta, who's been sidelined since Oct. 12 with a lower-body injury, or Scott Wedgewood will start in net against the Sabres. As for defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Coach Rick Tocchet said he doesn’t think Hjalmarsson will play the rest of this week. After a 3-7-2 start, the Sabres are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with eight points. They’ve lost two in a row, most recently falling 3-2 to the Sharks on Saturday at home. Forwards Evander Kane, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville each have a team-high 12 points. Kane and Pominville are also pacing the Sabres in goals with six apiece. Goalie Robin Lehner has handled most of Buffalo’s games, going 2-4-1 with a 2.78 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. The Sabres went 1-1 against the Coyotes last season.