Where Does Mason Go From Here?
With the playoffs right around the corner, and the Philadelphia Flyers continuing to win, where does this leave Steve Mason with coach Dave Hakstol?
As the playoff race is getting tighter with every passing game, we’re bound to see just how confident coach Dave Hakstol is with Steve Mason. Since game four of last year’s first round matchup with the Washington Capitals, it has become very clear that there was a disturbance between the new coach and veteran goalie with Hakstol electing to start Michal Neuvirth in crucial games.
Even though Mason has been between the pipes for 56 games this season, his latest coming Thursday night against the Islanders, Hakstol has shown that he has final say by benching players like Shayne Ghostisbehere for lengthy stretches throughout the season. if you head over to nhl.com to view Neuvirth’s stats, he’s currently supporting an abysmal .890 save percentage, while Steve Mason currently holds a respectable .907 save percentage.
Let’s not forget though, Neuv backstopped a struggling Flyers team from February 13 until March 3 last year that, honestly, would have missed the playoffs completely if it wasn’t for Ghost’s historical rookie campaign.
When the playoffs rolled around it was Neuvirth who stabilized the Philadelphia Flyers’s goaltender woes. After Mason was ran out of the net, and Philly, for allowing a .826 and .778 in games two and three, Neuvirth stepped in and Hakstol never looked back. In game four while facing elimination, the Czech backup posted an astonishing .969 save percentage, which he then followed up with a shutout in game five and then repeating his performance from game four with a .966 save percentage.
A year later and Hakstol still has faith in his struggling backup as he gave him the nod in key games against teams that they were trying to hunt in the playoff race. Since February 16, Neuv has posted a 1-5 record. Nice.
Unfortunately, all games besides the February 19 game, against the Vancouver Canucks, have been against some of the top teams in the league such as Columbus, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Washington. If the orange and black can sneak into the playoffs then they will face a dangerous Washington team. If not, then their first order will be to figure out if Steve Mason is the solution in the net. If he is the problem then it is time for a divorce that coach Hakstol has made prominent.
Luckily, the flyers have Anthony Stolarz waiting in the minors for his name to be called up to the big club. If Steve Mason feels underappreciated, which he is (yes, I said it!), then expect him to be wearing a new sweater next season.