Playing for last-place Sabres helped Neuvirth weather Capitals' onslaught

Michal Neuvirth knows what it's like to be on the - how can we put this politely? - less talented team

The Philadelphia Flyers goaltender was on a mission Friday night, singlehandedly keeping his team's season alive with a 44-save shutout on the road against the Washington Capitals, this season's best NHL team.

How'd he do it? Practice.

"Last year I was with Buffalo, so I was facing a lot of shots, so I'm kind of used to it," Neuvirth said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

The Sabres tanked it up last season, finishing last in the league with 54 points. Neuvirth started 27 games for the Sabres and saw 941 pucks, an average of 34.85 per game. So, yeah, he knows what he's talking about.

The 28-year-old has been an absolute beast since replacing Steve Mason in the Flyers' crease, stopping 75 of 76 shots in Game 4 and 5 wins, with no room for error.