The Secret Behind The Flyers’ Recent Success

Dec 6, 2016

Winners of seven of their last ten games, including their last five, it’s easy to see why the Flyers are considered one of the hottest teams in the NHL coming into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Florida Panthers. The Flyers are beginning to get into an offensive groove, averaging nearly 3.5 goals per game during their current five game winning streak. However, the player that has stood out the most isn’t a player necessarily known for putting pucks in the net, but rather for keeping pucks out of the net.

Recognized for his outstanding play last week, Steve Mason was named the first star of the week on Monday, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Through the first three games of December, Mason is facing roughly 27 shots per game, an increase of almost two shots above the Flyers’ season average, yet his .938 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average both rank in the top five in the East. So what has been the key to his turnaround from his early season struggles?

Both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth started off this year with some putrid play. Failing to reach the third period in three of their first combined eight starts, it seemed the Flyers had two backup goalies instead of two starting-caliber netminders. Through the first five weeks of the season, Mason posted a .868 save percentage and only produced one win in his first eight starts. Neuvirth was even worse, surrendering over 3.5 goals per game and netting a .859 save percentage.

Then on November 12th, in a game against the Minnesota Wild, goaltender Michal Neuvirth went down with a knee injury late in the first period. Mason came off the bench ready to play, giving up one goal while stopping 19 of 20 shots over the final two periods to secure a 3-2 win for the Flyers. Since then Mason has started 10 of the last 11 games, posting a .916 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against average. He has only surrendered more than three goals in a game once during that stretch, a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on November 23rd.

This isn’t the first time Steve Mason has had to step up in Michal Neuvirth’s absence. With only only three weeks left in the 2015-2016 regular season, Neuvirth went down with an injury and had to be placed on the injured reserve. Mason responded with excellent play. After a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mason went on a tear, holding the opponent to under three goals in seven straight games. He finished the month of March off with 12 consecutive starts, producing a 2.18 goals against average and a .924 save percentage, while facing an average just above 30 shots per game. Just how important was Mason’s play down the stretch? The Flyers had the best goals against average in the month of March, 2.14, helping them secure the final wild card spot despite the offense sputtering in the final three weeks of the season, only averaging 2.33 goals per game.

Over the last two seasons Mason has shined in Neuvirth’s absence and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Flyers were to look to move on from Neuvirth as early as February’s trade deadline, considering Neuvirth will be a free agent after the conclusion of the season. Anthony Stolarz, who was called up to when Michal Neuvirth got hurt, has posted a 2.50 goals against average and a .922 save percentage on 1,528 shots in the AHL since the start of last season. He also notched his first NHL win in his first NHL start, stopping 29 of 32 shots against the Calgary Flames to kick off the Flyer’s five game winning streak. At the age of 22, he has looked more than capable of backing up Mason if the Flyers do choose to move on from Neuvirth.

Steve Mason will start tonight against the Florida Panthers. It will be his fifth start in eight days.

The Secret Behind The Flyers’ Recent Success

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