Jakub Voracek

If a player's offensive production includes two goals and three assists in 14 games, it's easily assumed that is the stat line of a fourth line forward.

For the Flyers, it was top-liner Scott Hartnell.

The struggles continued for Hartnell, who found himself demoted in the third period of a frustrating 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday. It's safe to say the demotion was a long time coming for Hartnell, who hasn't been the same player that led the Flyers with 37 goals.

(Pictured: Scott Hartnell battles with Matt Carle. AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Flyers had five minutes of overtime to work with in hopes to not allow the game to carry to a shoot-out.

What many consider to be a glorified skills competition, the Flyers have considered their lack of success in the final determination of the second point to be a nightmare. It's been especially hard on Ilya Bryzgalov, who was going to be the netminder of choice in the Flyers dance with chance.

(Pictured: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov makes a snow angel save in the overtime period. AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Flyers knew exactly what they needed to do if they wanted to keep their playoff hopes at a manageable level.

They didn't execute though, and it was seen clearly in their 5-2 loss to New Jersey. They were docked with seven giveaways in the loss, leading to some quick first period goals that put them in an early, insurmountable hole.

An Andrej Meszaros give away behind the net gave the Devils their first goal of the game.

Meszaros coughed up the puck to the slot and Adam Henrique put a shot on net. Patrik Elias intercepted the shot in front of Ilya Bryzgalov and beat the netminder backhanded to put New Jersey up, 1-0.

(Pictured: Devils goalie Johan Hedberg makes a save. Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Flyers are playing horrible hockey, having failed to earn a single point against three playoff teams. They need to end this skid if they want to have any shot of sneaking into the post season.