For sure if he's not ready mentally then start Neuvirth. But if he's ready to go I feel like he should get the start.
- Streit2ThePoint

I think no matter what, you give Neuvirth the next start. How do you sit a guy coming off of back to back shutouts?

I loved what I saw for the first two periods. I'm not a fan of the "we have the lead so let's hunker down in our own end and hang on for dear life" strategy. It worked last night but it's not a sustainable strategy. I will say, however, that at least this time they didn't seem to panic and scramble while doing it as they had in prior seasons.
- Scoob

I personally don't believe it's a strategy from a coaching perspective. I think it's a natural tendency with players playing with the lead, combined with an all out aggressive push from the team that's behind.

It's early, but yes, the booing and in another arena "no means no."

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority or not, but when the guy behind me said it was wrong for the fans to do it I turned around and said what's wrong here is that he's playing. Of course, if he weren't a superstar, he might well be sitting until the grand jury sits.
- bodiva88

To be fair, he has not been charged with a crime, or arrested, so why shouldn't he play?

.... so maybe Hakstol knows something.
- MJL

A professional hockey coach knows more than we here on HB!?

Hitting the hooch a little early today?

I think no matter what, you give Neuvirth the next start. How do you sit a guy coming off of back to back shutouts?
- BiggE

This. I'd stick with the hot hand for now. It's not a slight to Mason, just a nod to Neuvirth. It's a long season, they'll both get plenty of starts.

He spoke after the game and said he has zero confidence. He needs to get his head right. Maybe a few games off.
- Tfaehner

Did they hire Bryz as a goalie coach?

I think no matter what, you give Neuvirth the next start. How do you sit a guy coming off of back to back shutouts?
- BiggE

Hate to see a long break after these two games that he's had. Too much chance of a cool-down. But, yeah, gotta ride the hot hand.

I understand that's not the ideal situation, but he's got to put an at least semi-quality shot when you're 10' out.
- VladDrag

With a rolling puck, the distance really doesn't matter, hard to get wood on it when the puck is on edge. He can't stop and settle the puck there because of the lack of time, so he has to try and one time it. Part of the game, and just bad luck.

With a rolling puck, the distance really doesn't matter, hard to get wood on it when the puck is on edge. He can't stop and settle the puck there because of the lack of time, so he has to try and one time it. Part of the game, and just bad luck.
- MJL

your argument is flawed

I doubt he was using a wooden stick

I think no matter what, you give Neuvirth the next start. How do you sit a guy coming off of back to back shutouts?
- BiggE

I hope he plays well enough to get reconsidered as a starter in this league -- seems like he was always playing well but a real victim of circumstance.

Sure would help fetch the Flyers something nice for him over the summer

your argument is flawed

I doubt he was using a wooden stick
- BulliesPhan87

The part that contacts the puck is wood!

I think no matter what, you give Neuvirth the next start. How do you sit a guy coming off of back to back shutouts?
- BiggE

6 days off. If our best goalie in decades says he's ready its his spot to lose.

The part that contacts the puck is wood!
- MJL

are you positive he wasn't using one of these?

Hate to see a long break after these two games that he's had. Too much chance of a cool-down. But, yeah, gotta ride the hot hand.
- tangent_man

I don't think there is such a thing as a hot hand after a 6 day break. If Mason wants the net, then you give it to him. I would bet on Mason wanting revenge for the performance in Florida over Neuvirth getting another shutout.

A professional hockey coach knows more than we here on HB!?

Hitting the hooch a little early today?



- Scoob

Uh, define early.

This. I'd stick with the hot hand for now. It's not a slight to Mason, just a nod to Neuvirth. It's a long season, they'll both get plenty of starts.
- Scoob

Yup, they play to back to back so go with Neuvirth Tuesday and Mason on Weds.

are you positive he wasn't using one of these?


- BulliesPhan87

You might be on to something, maybe that's Couturier's issue.

6 days off. If our best goalie in decades says he's ready its his spot to lose.
- hereticpride

Again, back to back, so each is going to likely play one of em.

With a rolling puck, the distance really doesn't matter, hard to get wood on it when the puck is on edge. He can't stop and settle the puck there because of the lack of time, so he has to try and one time it. Part of the game, and just bad luck.
- MJL

Hell know how many times I have seen great players.. guys like Ovechkin or Stamkos whiff on a bouncing puck. The fact that Couts was able to get it on it is a positive in itself.

What is really promising is that they are more mobile than in years past. While they still have some weaknesses that we all can see, the fact that they move better as a whole means that they are getting to more pucks and breaking up more attacks in their own zone

What I am really trying to say is this: While they aren't a great team and they absolutely need above-average goaltending darn near every night at this stage of the game, their ability to move means their play is sustainable. It won't always be pretty, but as long as they remain relatively healthy, they are better equipped to play in today's NHL than they were even six months ago

Tampa, Florida and the Blackhawks are all more skilled than the Flyers, as a whole. But the fact that the Flyers can skate with each of these teams as a whole, retrieve pucks and backcheck and break up rushes and cycles, means that the teams that are more skilled aren't going to automatically have those stretches of utter domination we have seen in recent years

Long way to go. Injuries will happen. But right now, tonight, I can dream about the playoffs. And I don't care what anyone says. That is much better than talking about draft picks and prospects
- AllInForFlyers

this. lots of this.

It's early, but yes, the booing and in another arena "no means no."

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority or not, but when the guy behind me said it was wrong for the fans to do it I turned around and said what's wrong here is that he's playing. Of course, if he weren't a superstar, he might well be sitting until the grand jury sits.
- bodiva88

Thank you Bo for your comment. I agree he shouldn't be playing (though I think he should be charged with a crime by now as well and the lack of charging him puts the NHL in an awkward place) and my comment was more exploratory then anything. I was also wondering if it was a Philly only thing and the fact that it isn't is great. I guess I needed the reason for the chant to be explained. Was it just to distract him and is team or because the fans think he shouldn't be playing and are united in the message that "no means no"? The first is shallow and lends little to the situation, the later is brilliant and I support it fully. I was afraid the Philly fans were doing the first and am happy to hear otherwise. Thank you and others for the comments and chance for me to think it out more. Cheers.

Neuvirth certainly looks more than capable of being a solid backup.
Coming off back to back and a belly to belly shutouts, he's got to play the next game.

There is no chance this morphs into a goalie controversy right? RIGHT!!????
- PLindbergh31

there's no controversy, and there shouldn't be. mason is the guy. he had a poopty 5 minutes, his first bad performance since coming here. he'll get back in the net. that said, let neuvirth go a bit. he certainly deserves the next game. and good for him.

Great game last night overall.

Neuvy, B.Schenn and Gagner had a great game.

Blackhawks clearly dominated the 3rd though.

I'm glad to see improvement in the overall neutral zone play and also the forwards emphasis on backchecking, forcing the opposition to dump the puck more vs easy zone entries.


I would like to see the flyers carry the puck more often in the offensive zone vs the dump and chase that create fewer scoring chances, but that again can and will lead to more turnovers.

For example, instead of skating in a straight line and dumping the puck in, the winger and center can criss cross opening options for a drop pass or a screen shot to the net, generating rebounds and more scoring chances.

I remember Richards doing that all the time, criss cross with the winger in the neutral zone gaining entry in the offensive zone on the right wing and applying the brakes, waiting for the d-man to join the rush or a winger to get open, generating more scoring chances as a unit.

Where do you insert Umberger when he returns ?
To be honest, I wound't mind trying him for a few games on the first line with Giroux and Voracek. He looks strong on the puck and much faster this year. Played well the first 2 games.

Do we keep Neuvy in goal if he keeps playing outstanding hockey when Mase returns ?

Was it just to distract him and is team or because the fans think he shouldn't be playing and are united in the message that "no means no"? The first is shallow and lends little to the situation, the later is brilliant and I support it fully. I was afraid the Philly fans were doing the first and am happy to hear otherwise.
- coffee junkie

Wish it were as thought out as the latter, but yeah...

Billy Tibbetts got doused with that one in an AHL game I went to once -- the guy who started the chant was a couple of rows in front of me -- he had a stupid smirk on his face the entire time -- I find it hard to believe that he was really thinking about justice at that moment.

It's early, but yes, the booing and in another arena "no means no."

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority or not, but when the guy behind me said it was wrong for the fans to do it I turned around and said what's wrong here is that he's playing. Of course, if he weren't a superstar, he might well be sitting until the grand jury sits.
- bodiva88

or...if he was an LA King, his contract would be terminated. right? RIIIIGHT?!