Philadelphia Flyers: It’s Time to Give Steve Mason a Break
In the literal and figurative sense, it is time for the Philadelphia Flyers to give Steve Mason a break.
Judging by Mason’s four goals allowed on 24 shots, it is time for the Philadelphia Flyers’ goalkeeper to sit some games out. He needs mental and physical rest before he can be an effective goalie again. After a resting period, Steve Mason will return to the form we all know and love.
Mason has started all but three games dating back to November 2016. Rookie Anthony Stolarz won his two starts and Michal Neuvirth won his only start since returning from injury. While Steve Mason was a pivotal part of the Philadelphia Flyers ten game win streak, he was just as much a reason for the recent skid. He needed a break at some point and the coach decided to keep playing him. It’s a hard decision to make, he had to roll with Mason during the win streak as he had the hot hand.
This is the time where the Philadelphia Flyers are blessed to have quality backups behind their starter. Michal Neuvirth is no joke, he is a good goalie, when healthy. He stepped in last night and won the Flyers the game by performing perfectly in the third period, the overtime period, and the shootout.
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This should give him some confidence going into the games this weekend where splitting road games with the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals is mandatory. After this weekend the Orange and Black don’t return to action until Saturday the 21st.
With Stolarz back in the minors, it is imperative that the Philadelphia Flyers showcase what they have in Steve Mason and Michael Neuvirth. One or both of these goalies will not be on the roster come next year. It’s no secret that I support the trading of either Mason or Neuvirth when the trade deadline comes. Whichever goalie has a higher trade value should be traded come the trade deadline.
This would give Stolarz room to grow and allow the new tandem to get in a rhythm at the end of the season. The key is to have a hot goalie going into the playoffs as a hot goalie can steal a series or two. The Philadelphia Flyers have three good options at goalie, which isn’t a bad thing, the struggle is finding reps for all three guys. All three goalies have the potential to lead this team to the playoffs and beyond.
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If I had to choose, I would keep Mase and trade Neuvy. Mase is more reliable and less injury prone. He just needs a break. Once Neuvirth gets in a rhythm and shows that he is a solid option in net, find a suiter and trade him. Once he’s gone split the time between Mason and Stolarz. This time around give the rookie a few more starts to keep the veteran fresh.
The Philadelphia Flyers return to action on Saturday at one o’clock in Boston.