PHILADELPHIA _ The Flyers have, by far, the greatest shots advantage in the NHL in the early part of the season.
They are averaging 36.2 shots per game (third in the NHL) and allowing just 26 (first), an averaged of 10.2 more shots than their opponents.
No matter. They are just 2-3-1 and have lost four straight. In their last two games, losses to Edmonton and Dallas, they have outshot their opponents, 91-38, but were outscored 10-4.
Just like last season, they are getting the chances but are not able to finish them.
"I guess we just have to stick to what we're doing," said center Sean Couturier, who scored the Flyers' lone goal Saturday in their 4-1 loss to visiting Dallas. "Bounces are going to come our way soon and we'll have success."
The Flyers had 39 shots against the Stars, but most of them were from the perimeter.
"The big thing was, we weren't giving up the odd-man rushes that we've been doing in the past," Dallas goalie Ben Bishop said after the Stars improved to 2-7-1.
Earlier in the week, new coach Alain Vigneault said the Flyers' emphasis this season is on defense, and that has caused the forwards to be diligent about staying back in the defensive end and maybe prevented them from breaking out so quickly into the attack.
"We have to find the right balance," he said.
They will try to find it Monday against visiting Vegas (6-3), which has won four of its last five games.
"We're doing a lot of the right things _ traffic, jamming pucks, going hard to the net, but we're having a tough time making teams pay for their mistakes," Vigneault said after Saturday's loss. "But as far as our process and how we're playing offensively and how we're playing defensively, you have to like our game."
Winger James van Riemsdyk, who had 27 goals in 66 games last season, has played well but has yet to register a point in six games. He has 24 shots over the last three games,
"I'm just trying to stay even-keeled," he said. "Just stick with it, keep working hard, and they're bound to go in if I keep getting good looks."
The penalty kill has hurt the Flyers in their last two losses, killing just one of four in that span. Dallas was 1-for-2 on its power play Saturday, while the Flyers were 0-for-4 with an extra attacker.
