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Mason key to Flyers' sudden turnaround

Sergei Belski / USA Today

The Philadelphia Flyers are the hottest team in the NHL right now, earning their sixth consecutive win Tuesday night versus the Florida Panthers.

Much can be made of the Flyers' attack - which has scored the second most goals in the NHL - but it's the recent play of goaltender Steve Mason that has propelled Philadelphia into the thick of the playoff race.

In 19 starts this season, the 28-year-old owns a record of 10-8-3, accompanied by a 2.71 goals against average and .908 save percentage - fairly pedestrian numbers.

However, during his club's hot streak, Mason has been lights out, recording a .943 save percentage while surrendering two goals or less in his last five starts.

He was the first star Tuesday night, recording 42 saves in a game Philly had no business winning judging by the shot clock.

Mason has struggled to find consistency since earning the Calder Trophy in 2008-09, but he's the Flyers No. 1 at this point, and he's finally playing like it.

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