For Flyers, allowing shots on goal a concern

What do the Flyers have in common with some of the NHL's worst teams?

They surrender shots on goal at an alarming rate.

The Flyers are allowing an average of 32.4 shots on goal per game. Only four NHL teams - Tampa Bay (33 per game), the New York Islanders (33.1), Atlanta (33.1) and Florida (34.5) - are yielding more shots.

If the season ended today, the Flyers are the only team in that group who would qualify for the playoffs.

In Tuesday's 3-2 loss in Detroit, the Flyers allowed the Red Wings to skate around them, find open space and launch 48 shots.

Only Marty Biron's stellar goaltending prevented a rout.

"Too many shots," Flyers winger Scott Hartnell said. "They have snipers . . . and when they're freewheeling and shooting the puck in full stride, you're not going to give yourself a great chance to win."

The Flyers have allowed 41, 39 and 48 shots, respectively, in their last three games. They are 1-2 in those games, and the one win, a 4-2 triumph over the Rangers, was registered because Biron made 40 saves.

Things are getting tight in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers are tied with Pittsburgh for the fourth spot with 84 points, which is just two more points than the New York Rangers' 82 and three more than Montreal's 81.

Jones update. Defenseman Randy Jones, who missed Tuesday's game because of an injured right hip, had a cortisone shot yesterday and is listed as day to day.

"We'll have a better idea [today] as to his playing status," general manager Paul Holmgren said.

The Flyers will probably recall defenseman Luca Sbisa for the playoffs.

Breakaways. Biron has a sensational .943 save percentage in seven March games. . . . The Flyers have lost two straight and three of the last four, and their power play is a dismal 5 for 47 (10.6 percent) in their last 10 games. . . . The early returns on the trade that sent Scottie Upshall and a No. 2 draft pick in 2011 to Phoenix for Dan Carcillo? Upshall has three goals and no assists in seven games, while Carcillo has no goals and three assists in seven games. Both are even in the plus-minus rankings.