In an NHL season shortened by a lockout, there would be a minimum of grace options.

That is, when a team struggling all season to remain above .500 can waste a three-goal lead at home and lose to the first-place team in its division, the patience quotient will be tested.

That's what the Flyers did Thursday in the Wells Fargo Center, losing, 5-4, to the Penguins. That's why they were booed as they left the ice, in what has become a new tradition at their games.

Peter Laviolette tried (you guessed it) a timeout and a goalie-switch, but neither worked. Not much has in a season the Flyers started at 0-3. That would not include Jake Voracek, who had two goals Thursday as he continues to bob into the discussion about the finest players in the sport.

But the Flyers could have pulled within five points of the Pens ... no, they should have pulled within five points of the Pens. Instead, their defense collapsed, Ilya Bryzgalov was victimized  ... and their lack of a killer instinct was exposed agian.

“You can't give up leads like that, if you want to keep making your way up the standings,” Brian Boucher said. “So obviously, nobody is very happy about it. It is very frustrating right now.”

Check out my column on the failing Flyers in the Daily Times Friday and, as always, on delcotimes.com.