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Mason wants to play at least 60 games for Flyers

Ottawa Senators v Philadelphia Flyers

Steve Mason

NHLI via Getty Images

When Steve Mason looks at the league’s top-tier goaltenders last season, he sees people that participated in 60 or more games. Back and knee injuries prevented him from reaching that milestone in 2014-15, but he’s hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.

“If the health is there and the consistency in my game is there, I don’t see why there would be an issue why I shouldn’t be playing that,” Mason told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He tried to limit the amount of impact training like jumping and running he did this summer to “preserve the knee a little bit,” but beyond that his health issues last season didn’t impact his training regimen. He consequently feels ready for the 2015-16 campaign.

There’s a factor outside his health that might impact him reaching that milestone though and that’s new backup goaltender Michal Neuvirth. He did an impressive job during his stint with the struggling Buffalo Sabres last season and is someone that might warrant more playing time than your typical understudy.

The hope is that he’ll also provide the Flyers with a strong plan B should Mason struggle with another injury-riddled campaign, especially after Ray Emery failed to live up to expectations under those circumstances in 2014-15.