Hakstol shakes up Flyers' struggling lineup

After five straight losses, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol has seen enough.

Preparing for Saturday's matinee against visiting Tampa Bay, Hakstol put the lines in a blender at Friday's practice in Voorhees.

Top-line center Claude Giroux had a new right winger, Matt Read, with Michael Raffl still on the left side. Right winger Jake Voracek dropped to the second line, which had a new center, Sean Couturier, and Travis Konecny on the left. The third line had Brayden Schenn centering Wayne Simmonds, with Nick Cousins and Dale Weise alternating at left wing.

Only the fourth line - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Chris VandeVelde and Boyd Gordon - was the same as in the last game, Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Gordon, however, could be replaced by Roman Lyubimov.

The Flyers have scored a total of 12 goals in the last eight games. They have lost seven of those contests.

"The panic button hasn't been hit yet, but it's coming up closely," Read said, adding "we have a lot better performances to give."

Goalie Michal Neuvirth, returning from a knee injury, is likely to start Saturday. It would be his first game since Nov. 12.

Hakstol said he would probably divide the goalie starts this weekend. On Sunday, the Flyers play in Columbus, against Steve Mason's former team.