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Hurricanes seek more consistency in matchup vs. Flyers

Feb 22, 2007 - 3:27 PM Philadelphia (16-36-8) at Carolina (30-25-7) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- If the Carolina Hurricanes have hopes of defending their Stanley Cup championship, they need to win a little more consistently.

Coming off seven losses in their last 11 contests, the Hurricanes complete a stretch of four home games in five outings with Thursday's encounter against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Carolina has split its last eight games and has a one-point lead over the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Atlanta Thrashers by four points in the Southeast Division race, Carolina is trying to avoid becoming the first defending champ to miss the playoffs the year after capturing the Cup.

Carolina lost for the first time in 22 games when leading after two periods this season in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Thrashers. Captain Rod Brind'Amour scored his 19th goal of the campaign and 401st of his career in the second period.

Philadelphia can tie a season high for victories in a month (five) set in November.

The Flyers are coming off Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres. Simon Gagne scored twice and has nine goals in his last seven contests for the Flyers.

Carolina won the first meeting of the season against Philadelphia before the Flyers posted a 5-2 triumph December 31.