Boucher injured as Flyers fall

Can it get any lower?

I don't see how.

The Flyers lost another goalie, lost another game, and were lost for answers after Monday's 4-1 loss to visiting Florida.

Brian Boucher cut the ring finger on his right hand while making a diving save early in the second period. He was replaced by Michael Leighton, who allowed the final two goals.

Boucher is expected to miss one game, and the Flyers plan to recall Johan Backlund for Wednesday's game in Tampa.

For Florida, it was sweet revenge for a 5-1 loss to the Flyers on Oct. 24, a game in which Mike Richards gave David Booth a concussion with an open-ice hit. Booth hasn't played since that night.

Florida dominated the special teams. The Panthers were 3 for 8 on the power play, and they killed all seven of their penalties.

"We came in here and I think we righted some wrongs," Florida coach Peter DeBoer said. "That's why Bryan McCabe is our captain. He took care of business in the first period, set the tone for us, and we just competed hard tonight for sixty minutes. We got a lot of contributions from a lot of different people."

McCabe fought Richards to a draw in the first period.

The Flyers have scored nine goals in their last 10 losses; they are 2-7-1 under new coach Peter Laviolette.

"There are players in there that have proven that they can play, win, and be successful," Laviolette said. "Right now that's not happening for us. I think everybody has to take a look at it, dig a little bit deeper and work a little bit harder. We seem timid to make plays; we need to make plays, and there are skilled players in that room. Execute the plays, do it with a purpose and do it with a passion."

The players say Laviolette's system isn't the problem; they say it's their execution.

Whatever the reason, the Flyers (15-18-2) are seven points out of the eighth playoff seeding. That seems impossible when you consider that the Flyers began the season 12-5-1 under John Stevens.