Being too literal. My point was some folks here need to relax about the goalies. Both played very well this season and are both responsible for helping get the team to the playoffs.
- Scoob

I think there are just a ton of people (not necessarily on this site) who dismiss everything Mason has done as a Flyer and just want to kill the guy. It's mainly people who measure a singular player's success based on the entire team. It happens in all sports, but, for some reason, the national media has taken a dislike to Mason.

Also, when you and others write things like "Masonites", you're probably going to get people to react a certain way.

There is a legitimate argument for playing either Mason or Neuvirth in Game 4 and I'm comfortable with whichever way Hack goes. Just don't come in with the "Masonite" comment then wonder why people come to his defense.

Re: goaltending

They've scored 2 goals in 3 games. Who they choose to start in net is irrelevant.
- BiggE

Brings back memories of the 2002 (?) playoffs when Cechmanek went out to center ice and berated his teammates. I believe the Power Play was a big reason that year as well. I believe Barber didn't believe in practicing the power play. He started Boucher in game 4.

That team i believe holds the record for the fewest goals scored in a playoff series. A record in futility that this team is 60 minutes away from matching. It's bad enough that the flyers hold the record once, let's hope they don't hold it twice.

Let's hope this series doesn't continue to mirror that series. I always felt Cechmanek, while fairly crazy, got a bad rap for calling out his teammates.

Edit : Boucher started game 5

I would also say goal 3 of game 3 was on Mason. Not because of the crazy bounce or the shot but the fact that he, unfortunately, batted it perfectly to a streaking Kuznetsov. If he didn't touch it at all it goes into the far corner where the only person there was a Flyer.

The game winning goals in both games 2 and 3 were bad goals as you have mentioned. The Flyers can't afford any mental lapses by their goaltender tonight.
- Flyers_01

Yeah that stuff happens, and as a tender you can only react and that was his move. I'll have to watch it again, but I guess Mase could have turned his head or torso more to watch it going around, but most tenders don't do that. I know I normally watch it until it rims around past the goal line and a bit further to see if it bounces out, then you move to watch it come out the other side.

Yeah, he was watching the scoreboard replay at the time of a center ice faceoff and got beat along the ice from the D side of center.
- mayorofangrytown

Wasn't that Max Talbot's first NHL goal? That was part of a 6-5 Penguins game, I think.

Again: That's why we never have nice things at the goaltending position. Mason got off to a little bit of a slower start, and now the narrative is that he wasn't the No. 1?

Was he the No. 1 when he outplayed Neuvirth over the last 3-plus months, then?

As a fanbase, we are never gonna learn. We are never gonna learn how to ignore small sample sizes for goaltenders
- AllInForFlyers

Neuvirth had 18 wins to Mason's 23, and the difference certainly happened when Neuvirth was hurt and Mason started every game down the stretch.

Neuvirth started 14 games since the new year until mid-March. Mason's "slow start" doesn't account for that.

I don't care who starts in net really, but I am a little surprised people are up in arms about Neuvirth getting the nod after all he's done for the team this season.

https://www.nhl.com/playe...ogs-r-nhl&season=20152016

Yeah, he was watching the scoreboard replay at the time of a center ice faceoff and got beat along the ice from the D side of center.
- mayorofangrytown

Now, that wasn't funny at the time, but reading this description and remembering the photo of him looking up is pretty funny right now

The only thing is he tracked it pretty well off the boards. Yes it was a bad bounce but I also feel it wasn't a terribly hard puck to catch. It was flukey
- J35Bacher

Mason is honest to a fault. He said the puck startled him and he did not see it until last split second. On Ovechkin goal, he said he saw it all the way -- no accidental screen from Gudas at all. Just didn't get it.

Brings back memories of the 2002 (?) playoffs when Cechmanek went out to center ice and berated his teammates. I believe the Power Play was a big reason that year as well. I believe Barber didn't believe in practicing the power play. He started Boucher in game 4.

That team i believe holds the record for the fewest goals scored in a playoff series. A record in futility that this team is 60 minutes away from matching. It's bad enough that the flyers hold the record once, let's hope they don't hold it twice.

Let's hope this series doesn't continue to mirror that series. I always felt Cechmanek, while fairly crazy, got a bad rap for calling out his teammates.

Edit : Boucher started game 5
- Flyers_01

2002 Ottawa.. This series reminds me of that one. Patrick Lalime for God's sake. We won game 1 on a Fedotenko OT goal I believe, then didn't score again until game 5 when Ryan McGill scored. So ugly.

"I think it's a good time for a change for our team going into this game," coach Dave Hakstol said after the morning skate in Voorhees. "I believe Neuvy is the guy who can go in for us in this situation and do a great job."

Hakstol said his decision to use Neuvirth over Steve Mason was "not a negative to Mase. It's about winning Game 4. Pure and simple."


Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#4MTRMAqqffRjIIsA.99
- funmaster18

I think it's the right move. It gives the players a message. He's changing things up since it clearly has not worked for the first three games, regardless of Mason's play. It's do or die time.

I think there are just a ton of people (not necessarily on this site) who dismiss everything Mason has done as a Flyer and just want to kill the guy. It's mainly people who measure a singular player's success based on the entire team. It happens in all sports, but, for some reason, the national media has taken a dislike to Mason.

Also, when you and others write things like "Masonites", you're probably going to get people to react a certain way.

There is a legitimate argument for playing either Mason or Neuvirth in Game 4 and I'm comfortable with whichever way Hack goes. Just don't come in with the "Masonite" comment then wonder why people come to his defense.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's also a faction who dismisses anything Neuvirth did early on. The Flyers could have been sunk early on without Neuvirth playing well.

Both goalies played a part getting to the postseason

Wasn't that Max Talbot's first NHL goal? That was part of a 6-5 Penguins game, I think.
- jmatchett383

It was 6-5. I was at a bar watching it. Foppa made a sick move and Nitty was watching the replay. Talbot scored from neutral zone.. I remember thinking how the (frank) did this get to OT? I think it was 4 or 5 1 at one point. It was either Rahtje or Hatcher that scored the OT winner. haha

I remember that vividly and thought of it when we were all discussing the worst goals given up by Flyers tenders. To me the nity one might have been worse, but the timing of Mase's being in the playoffs trumps it sadly.
- Hextall271

The worst was still Bernie's "lost in the sun" goal by Barry Gibbs from 3/4th ice, which directly cost the Flyers a playoff spot. But no video that I know of exists of it.

Don't agree with the 1 game for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. If the league gave him 1 game, why nothing for the hit that Wilson delivered to Jake. It was a clear shoulder the head hit. Clear target was the head. Yes Jake lowered his head, just like did. There have been much worse hits along the boards against MacDonald that have been posted here, but nothing was done.

The team as a whole looks spent. Not just physically, but mentally as well and it really seemed to show with Mason's play the last two games. It's sucks for him, but they needed to make the change for tonight. He is probably the biggest reason they got into the playoffs, but with Neuvirth being able to play it's time for a change. Only concern is does this screw with Mason mentally.

If you would have asked me at the beginning of the season if the Flyers made the playoffs would I consider it a success, I would have said yes. But after the first three games it sure doesn't seem like a success. Funny how that all changes.

The worst was still Bernie's "lost in the sun" goal by Barry Gibbs from 3/4th ice, which directly cost the Flyers a playoff spot. But no video that I know of exists of it.
- bmeltzer

Love the Bee Gees

2002 Ottawa.. This series reminds me of that one. Patrick Lalime for God's sake. We won game 1 on a Fedotenko OT goal I believe, then didn't score again until game 5 when Ryan McGill scored. So ugly.
- Hextall271

That was one of the most frustrating series I've seen them play since I've been a fan

They were a little slower team at the time, especially on defense, and clutch-and-grab and the trap was in full effect, which definitely hurt them

But they were still big enough and skilled enough that it was mind-numbing that they simply could not score -- it was absolutely crazy

I dont give a flying flock what the world thinks...Philly is a great city and Philly fans are great....I will always love the Flyers
- vejim

Mason is honest to a fault. He said the puck startled him and he did not see it until last split second. On Ovechkin goal, he said he saw it all the way -- no accidental screen from Gudas at all. Just didn't get it.
- bmeltzer

I was sitting right off Mason's right shoulder 10 rows up (Cue @fakecoastey comment). It was clear as day, no screen or tip off stick. Glad Mase was forthcoming w/his comment. It was a very stoppable shot, and a deflating goal for the team.

I think there are just a ton of people (not necessarily on this site) who dismiss everything Mason has done as a Flyer and just want to kill the guy. It's mainly people who measure a singular player's success based on the entire team. It happens in all sports, but, for some reason, the national media has taken a dislike to Mason.

Also, when you and others write things like "Masonites", you're probably going to get people to react a certain way.

There is a legitimate argument for playing either Mason or Neuvirth in Game 4 and I'm comfortable with whichever way Hack goes. Just don't come in with the "Masonite" comment then wonder why people come to his defense.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, the media really pisses me off with their narrative. Now they have reason to hate Mason and go with the narrative, when will Clarke ever get a goalie?? FML.

I was watching prime time sports out of Toronto after game 2, and Bob McCown had NHL VP Daly on and he was discussing the playoffs. He talked about the Mason goal, and said, when is Philly ever going to get a competent goalie? Haven't had one since Parent. Normally McCown is very intelligent about all sports, but even he is caught up in this BS.

There's also a faction who dismisses anything Neuvirth did early on. The Flyers could have been sunk early on without Neuvirth playing well.

Both goalies played a part getting to the postseason
- J35Bacher

I don't really see that. I see people thinking Mason is the better goalie due to a better track record and, therefore, should be starting if he's healthy.

The worst was still Bernie's "lost in the sun" goal by Barry Gibbs from 3/4th ice, which directly cost the Flyers a playoff spot. But no video that I know of exists of it.
- bmeltzer

I bet it was. Sadly, Hexy's goal in the 95 semis vs Lemieux was not good. cry.

Wasn't there a game in the 75 final in the fog in Buffalo, and Bernie couldn't see one of the goals go in? Can't imagine.

Neuvirth had 18 wins to Mason's 23, and the difference certainly happened when Neuvirth was hurt and Mason started every game down the stretch.

Neuvirth started 14 games since the new year until mid-March. Mason's "slow start" doesn't account for that.

I don't care who starts in net really, but I am a little surprised people are up in arms about Neuvirth getting the nod after all he's done for the team this season.

https://www.nhl.com/playe...ogs-r-nhl&season=20152016
- wolfhounds

I'm not up in arms. I just would start Mason, said why

But I have acknowledged repeatedly that I understand why others would go with Neuvirth

Yeah, the media really pisses me off with their narrative. Now they have reason to hate Mason and go with the narrative, when will Clarke ever get a goalie?? FML.

I was watching prime time sports out of Toronto after game 2, and Bob McCown had NHL VP Daly on and he was discussing the playoffs. He talked about the Mason goal, and said, when is Philly ever going to get a competent goalie? Haven't had one since Parent. Normally McCown is very intelligent about all sports, but even he is caught up in this BS.
- Hextall271

They don't see the team play enough to comment intelligently and they get influenced by what others say.

I don't really see that. I see people thinking Mason is the better goalie due to a better track record and, therefore, should be starting if he's healthy.
- PhillySportsGuy

I look at this:

0-3

Mason has given up some questionable goals, even bill has stated.

Neuvirth has played well this season.

This change isn't anything to do with Mason and everything to do with waking up the team and also maybe seeing if a Neuvirth can change the tide.

I don't really see that. I see people thinking Mason is the better goalie due to a better track record and, therefore, should be starting if he's healthy.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's where I am -- not a slight to Neuvirth. He's playing tonight and I will absolutely root for him to win

Don't need him to get strafed just so I can say I would've started Mason, that's for damn sure

I don't really see that. I see people thinking Mason is the better goalie due to a better track record and, therefore, should be starting if he's healthy.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly...

I love what Neuvy did early on. I love having two goalies that I felt completely fine with playing in the games..

But, he has regressed considerably, and has played once in 3 times in 50 days. I dont like the move purely because I think Mason should be in there. I think he gives the team the best chance, and I really dont believe in the idea that magically the Flyers will find a spark and go on a run.