Michal Neuvirth is hurt and Steve Mason has been struggling.
That means AHL callup Anthony Stolarz could be making his first NHL start very soon. The 22-year-old Philadelphia Flyers prospect has been excellent for Lehigh Valley, going 6-2-0 with a .927 save percentage.
“We’ll take it a day at a time,” head coach Dave Hakstol said this morning, per CSN Philly. “I said a week ago, you’re going to see him get a start at some point in time. Possibility? We play three games in four-and-a-half days here so it’s a possibility, but I don’t want to go too far down the road here in making a decision.”
The Flyers are coming off a 3-0 loss Saturday at home to the Lightning. They play in Sunrise against the Panthers Tuesday, then have to face the Lightning the next day in Tampa. Friday afternoon they’re back home to host the Rangers (on NBC).
It would be a surprise if Mason (4-6-3, .886) started all three of those games. A likely scenario would be Stolarz getting the nod Wednesday, with Mason getting the other two starts.
“If my name is called, I’ll be ready,” Stolarz said. “I’ve [made] huge strides in my game. I like where I am at.”