The Flyers on Tuesday exemplified the "consistently inconsistent" label that's dogged them all season, as they fell 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Yes, the Flyers — the same Flyers that beat upper-echelon Nashville and Washington in a back-to-back set this weekend — came out flat against the lowly Hurricanes and lost by a 4-1 margin. Justin Faulk and Alexander Semin each recorded a pair of two-point games, while Jeff Skinner, Jordan Staal and Jay McClement all scored.
The Hurricanes also torched the Flyers on the power play, finishing 2-for-4. Their penalty kill — which entered the game tops in the league — held the Orange and Black scoreless on two attempts.
Nicklas Grossmann scored the lone Flyers tally off of a wristshot from the faceoff circle, with Jakub Voracek earning the assist to tie Patrick Kane for the NHL's scoring lead. The goal was Grossmann's fourth of the season, and first since Dec. 20 — an 18-game span.
Rob Zepp made 31 saves on 35 shots, as he faced 30-or-more shots for the first time in his abbreviated NHL career. Playing in his 500th NHL game, Cam Ward turned away 23 of 24 pucks, improving his all-time record against the Winged P to 7-10-3.
The Orange and Black now fall to 1-2 against the 'Canes this season, and will play twice more this season. Both meetings are scheduled for a five-day span in April.
If there's a silver lining for the Flyers, it's that they still remain four points out of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, as Boston fell 2-1 to Vancouver on Tuesday.
The Flyers will next take the road on Thursday, as they head up to the Great White North to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61
