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

Track record right now: 0-3

That's all that matters right now.

If this was the regular season no one would blink an eye if Neuvirth was inserted.

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

- Hextall271

Neither was McCarty's from just inside the blue line against Detroit in '97

That one was an absolute, positive backbreaker -- it's underrated how devastating that goal was

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.
- jak521

He was injured.

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

There is still a large contingent of NHL media people who simply don't watch much hockey. They are just personalities. Many of them will hopefully be fazed out soon.

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

You've confused a couple years there. The blow out against Buffalo and the 4-1 series loss to Ottawa.

Actually, no. The folks who could separate what was actually on Bryz vs. what wasn't were not the ones "shouting from the rooftops." That was the lazy narrative crowd.

Same with now. Game one, Mason was outstanding. Every bit as good as Holtby. Goal 2 in Game 2 was on Mason. Goal 4 of Game 2 wasn't unstoppable but Flyers already trailed by 2 late in 3rd period with Caps in total control of 3rd pd. Goal 2 of Game 3 was on Mason.
- bmeltzer

Same with the Cechmanek haters in that Ottawa series when the Flyers were shut out three times, but it was Checho's fault they lost.

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.
- J35Bacher

So if that is the case, why even mention the first part? To justify the switch?

If it is PURELY to wake the team up... fine, but dont feed into the whole "Mason hasnt been playing well, questionable goals, etc. etc."

Mason isnt playing. Its been decided, and I dont have to like it, but it is what it is. I want Neuvy to go out and pitch a 55 save shutout. I want the Flyers to score 7 goals. Sadly, I dont see anything of that sort happening.

Mason has conceded two bad goals in a series where he has been flat out hung out to dry. He has turned away many many other fantastic chances.

You've confused a couple years there. The blow out against Buffalo and the 4-1 series loss to Ottawa.
- mayorofangrytown

yeah 2001 was the blowout loss to B'lo.
2002 was the Ottawa series.

He was injured.
- J35Bacher

Even pre-injury, though, Neuvirth was starting to give up a higher volume of stoppable goals than he allowed in the first half. But that was normal law of averages type of stuff.

Actually his two worst GAs -- one vs. Colorado and one vs NJ -- happened in the 1st half, and were the only two bad ones he allowed for three months.

Tough call on Mason.

Those 2 goals he has given up were brutal but if you take them out of each game they are still losing due to a lack of offense.

At this point it's try anything but when Ryan White is your best player, this is no knock on him, something has gone very wrong with your team.

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

Neuvirth is definitely not getting the respect he should be for what he did for this team. We were lucky enough to have 2 very good goalies play for the Flyers this season.

He was injured.
- J35Bacher

From January till now?

He has played in 3 games since February 29th.

In those three games he has saved 66 of 74 shots for a .891 save percentage.

Hasnt played a lot, and when he has, he hasnt played well.. and thats over a few months. In a "what have you done for me lately" league.

Its a desperation move by Haxstol. I get it. Just dont agree.

So if that is the case, why even mention the first part? To justify the switch?

If it is PURELY to wake the team up... fine, but dont feed into the whole "Mason hasnt been playing well, questionable goals, etc. etc."

Mason isnt playing. Its been decided, and I dont have to like it, but it is what it is. I want Neuvy to go out and pitch a 55 save shutout. I want the Flyers to score 7 goals. Sadly, I dont see anything of that sort happening.

Mason has conceded two bad goals in a series where he has been flat out hung out to dry. He has turned away many many other fantastic chances.
- jak521

I have never stated he didn't play well.

He HAS given up some questionable goals.

You can do both.

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

Question for you. I know Frank is working with tsn now and sometimes they have had Tim p or Sam on the hockey shows on sportsnet, do you ever get asked to come on and give your balanced/well articulated opinion? If so and I missed it my bad, just think they should call on you when they need a flyers take as you clearly could help frame the conversations and it would keep me from wanting to throw my beer at the tv while watching the Canadian hockey experts. Haha

Tough call on Mason.

Those 2 goals he has given up were brutal but if you take them out of each game they are still losing due to a lack of offense.

At this point it's try anything but when Ryan White is your best player, this is no knock on him, something has gone very wrong with your team.
- opeth_pa

Also, if you remove those two goals, he has a .960 save percentage at even strength.

I hope for Neuvirth's sake they have a new game plan for the PK. Be aggressive, attack the puck. Better than what we have right now.

From January till now?

He has played in 3 games since February 29th.

In those three games he has saved 66 of 74 shots for a .891 save percentage.

Hasnt played a lot, and when he has, he hasnt played well.. and thats over a few months. In a "what have you done for me lately" league.

Its a desperation move by Haxstol. I get it. Just dont agree.
- jak521

when else is it time to be desperate if not while you're in a 0-3 hole and have barely come close to beating the Capitals even once so far in the series?

It was awesome when she turned around and had a Snider 67 jersey on
- funmaster18

When she was composing herself at the beginning I was willing her not to cry, because crying and singing just don't mix. And I knew she'd want it to be perfect for him. She was a tiny bit shaky there for a heartbeat, but she's a pro and did a great job. I'm sure she was relieved. And I was so glad for her that she was able to crush it.

There is still a large contingent of NHL media people who simply don't watch much hockey. They are just personalities. Many of them will hopefully be fazed out soon.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think Roenick watches much at all, and I don't know that he ever has

He absolutely kills guys, like Mason on the long-distance shot, and is dead wrong when he says it's the worst goal ever because it's the playoffs, when I remembered that Lidstrom had scored one from center ice in the playoffs

It's horrible because casual fans listen to people like Roenick and don't know any history or perspective -- hell, Mason's goal has competition for the worst goal the Flyers have given up, not just the worst goal in history

When you are that prone to hyperbole but are unwilling to own when players do well, it's hard to believe that you watch much hockey

yeah 2001 was the blowout loss to B'lo.
2002 was the Ottawa series.
- bodiva88

yes ma'am

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
- Hextall271

I had finally forgotten that Mike Rathje was a Flyer, and then you bring this up...

From January till now?

He has played in 3 games since February 29th.

In those three games he has saved 66 of 74 shots for a .891 save percentage.

Hasnt played a lot, and when he has, he hasnt played well.. and thats over a few months. In a "what have you done for me lately" league.

Its a desperation move by Haxstol. I get it. Just dont agree.
- jak521

He was 2-1 and the game they lost was shut out to the oilers.

Using the Mason defense, the team didn't score so can't be all his fault.

Track record right now: 0-3

That's all that matters right now.

If this was the regular season no one would blink an eye if Neuvirth was inserted.
- J35Bacher

Thats because it would probably be Neuvirth's turn to start. In the playoffs, any goalie switch is big news.

Look, I'm for the switch tonight simply because I think Mason is tired. I just don't understand why there is even an argument like this is a black and white decision. There really is no wrong choice here and both sides have their valid points. Just not sure why defending Mason is viewed so negatively.

When she was composing herself at the beginning I was willing her not to cry, because crying and singing just don't mix. And I knew she'd want it to be perfect for him. She was a tiny bit shaky there for a heartbeat, but she's a pro and did a great job. I'm sure she was relieved. And I was so glad for her that she was able to crush it.
- bodiva88

agreed

Also, if you remove those two goals, he has a .960 save percentage at even strength.

I hope for Neuvirth's sake they have a new game plan for the PK. Be aggressive, attack the puck. Better than what we have right now.
- jak521

It's suicide, but I almost want a full-pressure, rush the guy with the puck mentality. As soon as the player gets the puck, the closest player goes for the takeaway. It probably won't work, but neither does the passive box.

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
- AllInForFlyers

Fair enough. I was more going after the 'slow start' narrative. From the New Year until Neuvirth got hurt, Mason had 19 starts for 10 wins and 3 OTLs and Neuvirth had 14 starts for 8 wins and 2 OTLs.

Neuvirth also came in for Mason 1 game - Feb 20, 3rd period apparently - and got the win.

If people are worried about Neuvy being rusty, that I understand, but not much else.