Flyers aim to regain footing

There are two ways to look at the Flyers' up-and-down 3-2-1 start:

The optimistic view: They have accumulated four more points than they had after six games last year, when they began the season 0-3-3, and they have been quick starters - scoring the first goal in five of the games.

The pessimistic view: They have lost all the momentum from their 3-0 start by losing their last three games, and they have been outplayed - and outscored, 4-0 - in the third periods of their last two defeats.

Despite having five days off between games, the Flyers looked sharp in the first period against a struggling Florida team Friday, but they seemed to lose their edge as the game progressed. As a result, a 2-1 lead turned into a 4-2 defeat.

They also faltered at the end of their previous game, blowing a late 2-0 lead and losing to Anaheim, 3-2, in a shoot-out.

"I'm a little concerned we are not executing offensively right now," coach John Stevens said yesterday after practice in Voorhees. "I know we have created a lot of offensive opportunities. Just like the Anaheim game, we had the chance to put the game away, creating chances and not executing them. The big focus today was getting to the net and being more determined around the net.

"We're not giving up a whole lot defensively. But I think we have to do a better job of finishing up on the chances we get."

Left wingers Scott Hartnell and Simon Gagne are among the players who have struggled to find the net. They have combined for one goal - scored by Hartnell - in the first six games.

Last season, they combined for 64 goals.

Friday's loss was the only game the Flyers will play in an 11-day span. The players aren't happy about the long layoff.

"It's actually easier when you play a lot of games, because you get into the rhythm," said defenseman Kimmo Timonen, whose team doesn't play again until it hosts Boston on Thursday. "I would rather play three games and then three days off, and then play three games again, rather than have 11 days off. It's actually tough, even if you think you're getting a lot of rest. Playing games, that's the biggest thing. We have to come in next week and practice real well to get ready for Thursday."

The Flyers' early-season schedule is quirky. After playing just once in 11 days, they have three games in a four-day stretch beginning Thursday.

Phantoms returning. The Phantoms will be back in Philadelphia for one game in December, the Flyers will announce tomorrow, according to a club source.

The Flyers' AHL affiliate will play at the Wachovia Center during a still-to-be determined date in December.

Comcast-Spectacor sold the Phantoms last spring. The team relocated to Glens Falls, N.Y., and was renamed the Adirondack Phantoms. They took a 2-2 record into last night.

Breakaways. With Ryan Parent injured and likely to miss the next three games, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen figures to see a lot of action on an inexperienced defensive pairing with Danny Syvret. . . . Matt Carle leads the Flyers at plus-five. . . . The Flyers are rotating practice days off for their veterans this season. Yesterday, it was center Danny Briere's turn.