Each week, we'll ask questions about the Flyers to our resident hockey analysts and see what they have to say.
Going End to End this week are CSNPhilly.com producer/reporter Tom Dougherty and CSNPhilly.com producer/reporter Tim Riday.
The question: Who should start in goal when the Flyers return from their five-day break against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night?
Dougherty
This is an easy one for me. Give Steve Mason his net back. I completely understand the thought process behind starting Michal Neuvirth again, but Mason's coming back from a personal family matter. The best thing for him is to get back into the swing of things. I'm sure he wants to get back into it. So let him.
With back-to-back games, Mason and Neuvirth will more than likely each get a start this week. Head coach Dave Hakstol could roll with Mason for both games, or Neuvirth, but the likely scenario is splitting the games. Neuvirth did more than he was asked of against Florida and Chicago this past week and that's an added bonus.
But let's remember, he was signed to do exactly what he did. Come in and spell Mason when needed. It was under different circumstances than normal, but Neuvirth proved he was a worthy signing. I want to see Mason get back into it, and I think it's wise to get him in Tuesday.
Riday
Let's make this perfectly clear: Mason is the Flyers' starter. Two stellar performances from Neuvirth isn't going to change anything this early in the season. There is no goalie controversy. I repeat, there is no goalie controversy.
NHL
OK, that's out of the way.
With that said, however, I wouldn't mind seeing Neuvirth get a third straight start when the Flyers return from their five-day break against Dallas. Why not ride the hot hand?
I understand any momentum gained by the two shutouts Neuvirth posted last week will likely be slowed by the long layoff, but hear me out. With the Flyers facing a back-to-back situation, each netminder is likely to get a start in the next two games anyway.
Mason hasn't played since Oct. 10 and just recently returned to the team. Would you rather him face the Stars, who are firing on all cylinders, on Tuesday or the Bruins, who have plenty of holes on their roster and are off to a rocky start, on Wednesday?
I say ease Mason back into game action and let Neuvirth, who boasts a .964 save percentage and 1.04 goals-against-average this season, handle the heavy lifting against Dallas, which has 19 goals and a 4-1-0 record after five games.
For those concerned that Neuvirth playing over Mason against a stronger opponent will send a bad message, don't be. Remember: we're just four games in.
Neuvirth is a capable goalie who survived a turbulent stint in Buffalo last season. He can handle more than just the occasional start when Mason needs a night off but he understands that he was signed to be the backup. That's his role.
But it's also important for Mason to build his confidence back up after getting shelled for four goals in less than seven minutes of ice time in his last start. He's going to be trusted to handle the brunt of the workload this season, so he needs to bounce back with a strong effort.
Whenever Mason does return to game action, it's crucial for him to find a groove. I think he's better-suited to do that against Boston.