DETROIT - The Flyers' playoff charge was delayed Wednesday in Detroit, and they will have to regroup if they are going to earn an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Red Wings 3, Flyers 0.
In the most important game of the season for both teams, the Flyers came out flat, allowed a bizarre first goal and never recovered before a frenzied crowd at Joe Louis Arena.
Jimmy Howard made 30 saves to register his first shutout since opening night against Toronto on Oct 9.
Kyle Quincey iced the win with an empty-netter.
The Flyers, who went 0 for 4 on the power play and wasted another brilliant effort by goalie Steve Mason, still hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they made their task more difficult.