Flyers' roller-coaster ride 'driving me nuts,' Hextall says

Looking for more offensive punch, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol juggled two of his lines at Wednesday's practice in Voorhees.

On one line, Claude Giroux centered Michael Raffl and new right winger T.J. Konecny. Konecny has played his "off" wing on the left side this season.

Matt Read, who has been on Giroux's unit during the last three games, was on a line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek at practice. Read and Nick Cousins alternated at left wing.

Hakstol said there would some changes, but that Wednesday's lines wouldn't necessarily be used Thursday against visiitng Vancouver.

The Flyers have lost nine of their last 11 (2-6-3).

"You can't accept losing, and however Hak delivers that message" will hopefully turn things around, GM Ron Hextall said. "There's different ways for coaches to deliver messages."

Changing the lineup, of course, is one method.

The Flyers have scored a total of just 19 goals in their last 11 games. They dropped a 4-1 decision Tuesday in Buffalo.

"We need to get to the net. To me, we made it easy on their goalie," Hextall said of Tuesday's loss. "We all know where most goals are scored -- and they're in tight. And we need to do a better job as a group getting there."

The Flyers have been on a roller-coaster ride. They won 10 straight before losing nine of the last 11.

"It's driving me nuts," Hextall said. "I hope it is for everybody else, too."

Hextall said there was so much parity in the league "that every night you have to be on top of your game. You don't play good, you don't win. We're not playing well enough right now."

Breakaways. Hextall was asked if he was exploring a deal to wake up his team. "I'm not going to make a trade to send a message," he said. "I'm (only) going to make a trade to make us better.".....Defenseman Mark Steit is getting closer to returning from a shoulder injury and may play Saturday in Boston. The Flyers will have to make a roster move to open cap space for Streit's return....The Comcast Network will televise Saturday's 7 p.m. alumni game between the Flyers and Penguins. Bill Clement and Al Morganti will call the game.