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For Flyers' R.J. Umberger, a difficult time

NASHVILLE _ Flyers winger R.J. Umberger is trying to keep a happy face, but it isn't easy.

You can hear the frustration in his voice. His tone? Incredulous that he has gone THIS LONG without turning on the red light.

The Pittsburgh native is goal-less in his last 50 games dating back to last season, and he has been benched the last two games. Umberger is working hard at practice, staying on the ice longer than most of his teammates, and trying to regain the form that saw him score 20 or more goals six time in his career.

"It's hard," he said of sitting out games. "I try to be a good teammate and do my work and try to get back in the lineup. That's all you can do."

Umberger, 33, has had lots of scoring chances in the last few games, but hasn't been able to snap the longest drought of his career.

"I think one goal would go a long way for me," he said. "I think the hardest part is knowing I can bring a lot more. I have a lot left in me for the game. I need to find ways to be a good player in the role they're giving me."

Lately, Umberger had been a fourth-line winger on a unit with Scott Laughton and Matt Read. (That line, with Michael Raffl dropped down to replace Umberger, was very productive in Thursday's 6-3 win in Nashville. Read had a goal, and Laughton had a career-best two assists)

"It's something I'm not accustomed to, so I'm just trying to make the best of it," he said of playing sparingly.

Umberger, whose team will host the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon,  had averaged just 7 minutes, 27 seconds of ice time in his last four games.

Despite his relinquished role, coach Dave Hakstol has been pleased with the winger's work habits and solid defensive play.

"It's tough to take a guy like R.J. out. He's a great pro and he's been  a good leader for us," Hakstol said. "We thought we wanted to change things up in the short-term here. It's a tough move, yet it's a move he's really handled well. He's putting his work in, and he'll be ready to go when he does go back in."

In 32 games this season, Umberger has six assists and is minus-1.

"I try to come to the rink ready and you never know when you're going to get a chance. I still believe in myself," said Umberger, who will likely be bought out of his contract after the season. "I've done it for a long time. I've scored a lot of goals (178) and know how to score, so it's just a matter of getting that first one."

He paused.

"Maybe it will come in a big moment, you never know," he said.  "You may not score a lot of goals this year, but maybe I'll get one or two at the right time for us."

Breakaways. In Thursday's 6-3 win, the Flyers were outshot by Nashville, 40-19. The last time the Flyers had six or more goals on 19 or fewer shots was in 2006, per the Elias Sports Bureau.....Shayne Gostisbehere has a six-game scoring streak (one goal, seven assists), and Jake Voracek has 10 points (3-7) in his last five games. The Flyers will practice in Voorhees on Friday at noon..