New Goalie Equals New Hope?

Year after year the Flyers have been a team with great upside, but always seem to disappoint.  Each year they seem to run into the same problem, the goaltending. There is no doubt that the Flyers have had some great offensive and defensive weapons like LeClair, Lindros, Desjardins and Giroux. However, each and every year when it comes down to it, the goalies fail. That is the exact reason why the Flyers went out to bring in the “answer” or whom they thought would be the “answer” Steve Mason. However, it looks like he may no longer be the answer for Philadelphia.

Whether it comes from fans or reporters, there have been several complaints about the performances of Mason over the past year. Though he still finds himself above the league average for save percentage, he has not proven anything to Flyers fans. In the first few games of the year Mason looked awful, allowing 7 goals. Though they struggled in their first two games, it looks like this team has finally found its stride with their new goalie Michal Neuvirth. In his first two games Neuvirth has played unbelievably having two shutouts. The team may have found their goalie to have a successful season. However, it will be a waiting game whether or not the 27 year old can sustain this success.

Though Mason is back from a family issue, it looks as though he will not play. If Neuvirth keeps up with his success in net, we may be viewing the end of Steve Mason in Philadelphia. The Flyers have much to work on this season, but it all starts with the net. Philadelphia fans are sick of seeing the same thing each and every year; it is time for a change. The Flyers need to prove that they can succeed, guys need to start stepping up starting today.

-Brett

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Are the Flyers contenders?

The Flyers have struggled mightily this season, posting a record of 7-5-2. The Flyers had a horrendous start to the season losing their first 4 games. The problems seemed to be endless with the horrible play of Mason and the defense. However, it now seems like the Flyers are on the right track once more winning their last 3 games. All the gears in the Flyers offense and defense seem to be clicking, but the question is now can and will this be sustainable throughout the entire season. Flyers fans know that if they want to compete and have the ability to make it to the championship everything has to be working including the goalie, the offense, and the defense.

The two big questions going into this season was whether Steve Mason would be the successful goalie needed to take the team to the Stanley Cup and if Claude Giroux was the true captain of this team. Though Mason has struggled this season, and many questioned whether or not he would finish this season as the Flyers goalie. It seems that he is finally back on the right track, and that he will be able to help lead this team to a championship. The other worry coming into the season for Flyers fans was if Claude was the right guy for the job, if he was truly the captain needed to win it all. Well it now seems like he is the right person. Claude has produced 4 goals and 18 pts this season. He has been playing extremely well lately, even scoring two goals against the Avalanche last game. Though Claude’s performance has been better, the team needs their other players to step up as well. This seems to be happening this season as well, with guys like Voracek who have been playing unbelievable lately scoring 6 goals and 22 pts. It is apparent to me as well as Flyers fans that this season is the young Voracek’s coming out party. He can be a great asset for a playoff run this season.

If the Flyers want to have success this season they will need all their cogs to work together to provide the best opportunity for them to win. With Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds dominating on the offensive end, it is apparent that they can score with any team in the league. The question is now whether their beat up defense and their up and down goalies can keep it together to get this team to the playoffs. It is still too early to tell if the recent Steve Mason is the real Mason or will he go back to his struggling ways. If this team wants to win it all they have to strengthen their defense to have the best chance of winning it all.  

-Brett