Flyers Notes: Flyers in tough stretch, playing some of NHL's best

The Flyers' early-season schedule is one of their toughest in recent history.

Now they head on the road for three games, starting Saturday in Dallas before stopping in Chicago and Pittsburgh. All three teams are expected to be NHL heavyweights, although the Stars were 0-1-1 entering Tuesday.

The Flyers then face formidable challenges against Detroit, defending champion Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay.

"It's a tough little run," winger R.J. Umberger said before the Flyers fell to Anaheim in a shootout Tuesday. "But there aren't many easy games in the NHL anymore. The parity is unreal."

In regard to the difficult road trip that awaits, Umberger said, "Sometimes that's better. It brings out the best in your team. You can't let off the gas, you can't be sloppy. You have to be as sharp as possible, and maybe that's what we need right now."

Even when injured defenseman Braydon Coburn returns to the lineup - probably Saturday in Dallas - there is "definitely" a chance that veteran Nick Schultz remains in the lineup, coach Craig Berube said.

Berube seemed to be sending a message that Luke Schenn and Michael Del Zotto need to start playing better.

"I think he's done a good job," Berube said of Schultz.

Coburn missed his third straight game Tuesday with a lower-body injury but may be able to skate Wednesday, Berube said.

The Flyers made a minor move in Tuesday's game as Umberger and Matt Read switched wings. Both were on their forehand Tuesday, with Read going to right wing, Umberger to the left.

"I just put them on their normal sides," Berube said before the game. "Reader came to me and talked to me about it, and I said I have no problem with it. He wanted to go back to right wing; he feels he can see the ice better."

Entering the night, Read had two assists and Umberger had no points.

"I just want to see if we can create more offensively and be in the play more if we have the puck," said Read, who has played most of his career at right wing. ". . . We both talked about being on our off-hands. It's harder skating into your offensive zone on your backhand."

Blair Jones, who centered the fourth line, made his Flyers debut Tuesday. . . . Pierre-Edouard Bellemare replaced the injured Vinny Lecavalier on the second line, centering Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.