PHILADELPHIA — Though they play better on the road, the Philadelphia Flyers are desperately trying to earn home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

With four games remaining, it's simple for Philadelphia: Win out and secure the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Carter's power-play goal with 6:32 left in the third period lifted the Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

The Flyers wasted a 3-0 lead, but earned the victory to move within three points of the Atlantic Division-leading New York Rangers. The Rangers have just three games left, including one meeting between the teams. Philadelphia is fifth in the East, two points ahead of New Jersey with two road games left against the Devils.

"I've seen our fans just will us in playoff games," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I think home-ice is something you need. It's very important. It's real difficult when you constantly have to win road games in the playoffs."

The Flyers are 21-13-6 at the Wachovia Center, with only Saturday's game against the Rangers left at home. They are 22-11-5 on the road.

Simon Gagne scored his 45th goal and Joni Pitkanen and Brian Savage also scored for the Flyers, who were without star center Peter Forsberg for the third straight game because of a groin injury.

Michel Ouellet, Ryan Whitney and Sidney Crosby scored for Pittsburgh, which already secured the worst record in the conference.