Mason ready to get Flyers into playoffs

The Philadelphia Flyers will have to make the playoffs without Michal Neuvirth.

A lower-body injury will cost the often-injured goaltender the rest of the season, the Flyers announced Sunday. And that means the crease belongs to Steve Mason, now in his fourth season in orange and white.

The Flyers are three points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with two games in hand. Where it gets tricky: Philadelphia has four back-to-back scenarios out of their 12 remaining games. They'll play March 21 and 22, April 2 and 3, April 6 and 7, and April 9 and 10.

Based on his track record at this time of year, Mason can get the job done.

Mason's played some great hockey down the stretch as a Flyer.

"We haven't really been blessed with an easy schedule here to finish off," Mason said, according to the Courier-Post's Dave Isaac. "We've all got to come here ready to have a real strong push in these last few weeks of the season. It's tough with the back-to-backs, but you've just got to take care of yourself and get your rest.

"I'm gonna do everything I can to give this team as much goaltending as they need."

Neuvirth will be missed. He's had a stellar season, and his .925 save percentage is in the top five among all NHL goalies. But Mason can get the Flyers to the promised land. Hopefully, based on the Flyers' remaining schedule, he gets enough sleep.

"I feel really good about my game," Mason added. "You always prepare to play every single game. That's just what I'm going to continue to do here."

Backing up Mason will be 22-year-old Anthony Stolarz, who, based on the unforgiving schedule, will likely see some action in the crease. He's never played in the NHL.

"He'll be ready to go, he'll be ready to play when we need him to go in," head coach Dave Hakstol said.