Defensive breakdowns continue for Flyers

BOSTON - The Flyers' overall team defense continued its freefall Saturday afternoon in Boston.

They lost to the Bruins, 6-3, and have now allowed 143 goals, the most in the NHL. They have surrendered four goals or more in seven of their last 10 games.

"It's not just the D. it's the D and the forwards and the goaltending," general manager Ron Hextall said. "We need to do a better job and tighten it up. We're giving up too much time and too much space."

Turnovers, six penalties, and poor coverage on the Bruins' rush contributed to the latest loss.

"We're not making good decisions with the puck and it's hurting us," defenseman Michael Del Zotto said.

The Flyers "need to have a defense-first mentality," defenseman Mark Streit said, adding they can't take as many offensive chances because "if you do that, you're going to get burnt. We've got to go back to the basics."

In the last two games, the Flyers gave opponents a total of 14 power plays. Boston score on two of its six chances Saturday.

Streit, who hadn't played since Dec. 11 because of a shoulder injury, returned to the lineup and was paired with Radko Gudas.

"I felt OK. I know I just can't come back to my old game [yet]," Streit said. "I'm going to need a little time, but it was OK. I felt pretty good, but I definitely have some room to improve."

With Shayne Gostisbehere benched, Streit ran the top power-play unit. He finished with an assist, four shots, and a minus-2 rating.

Gostisbehere and Nick Schultz were healthy scratches among the defensemen.

Wayne Simmonds became the 20th player in Flyers history to score 150 goals with the franchise. . . . Brayden Schenn has 11 power-play goals, tops in the league... Chris VandeVelde collected an assist and snapped a 15-game scoreless stretch. . . . Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored in his second straight game; he played in his 200th career contest. . . . Boyd Gordon cleared waivers and was sent to the Phantoms.