Steve Mason’s numbers aren’t pretty. In five games, the Flyers’ starting netminder is 0-3-1 with an .878 save percentage.
But Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux had only encouraging things to say about his under-siege goalie after last night’s 4-0 loss in Chicago that saw the Blackhawks score three times on 19 shots in the first period.
“We have Mason’s back,” said Giroux, per CSN Philly. “If it weren’t for Mase, I don’t know what the score would have been.
“We have to stick together when it’s tough times. We’ve got to battle through it. We’ve done it before. We’re not going anywhere. We’ve got to stick together.”
Added coach Craig Berube: "[Mason] got bombarded in the first period and held us in there.”
As if it hasn’t been hard enough already, the Flyers (1-3-2) have four more tough tests to finish the month. Tonight they’re in Pittsburgh. After that it’s games against Detroit, Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay.
No word yet if Mason or Ray Emery will get the start tonight against the Penguins (Update: sounds like Emery). But regardless of who gets the assignment, the Flyers will want to stay out of the penalty box, as Pittsburgh enters tonight’s action with eight power-play goals in its first four games.
“Our penalty kill has to be a strong point,” said Mason. “Right now, it’s not.”
The Flyers allowed two power-play goals versus the ‘Hawks and have allowed four in their last two games.