After posting a 31-save shutout in his first start as a Flyer on Monday night, Michal Neuvirth gets the starting nod again tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks (see game notes).
Neuvirth signed a two-year contract with the team in the summer to serve primarily as Steve Mason's backup. An athletic goalie, Neuvirth's effort against the Panthers was impressive. With the Flyers getting trounced in Sunrise by the same Florida team two days prior and the news Mason wasn't available, Neuvirth's performance was a huge boost.
The 27-year-old became the fifth Flyers goalie to record a shutout in his first start and the first since Ray Emery, who he replaced as the backup, did so on Oct. 2, 2009, in Carolina.
In two career games against Chicago, the Czech goaltender is 0-2-0 with a 4.02 goals-against average and a .862 save percentage. He was on the ice about 20 minutes before the morning skate began today, working with goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh.
The reason Neuvirth is starting again is because Mason is still not available because of a personal family matter. Mason was back with the Flyers for the morning skate Wednesday, which suggests the team wants to keep him in game shape, but is on the temporary designated non-roster. Jason LaBarbera stays with the Flyers and will back up tonight against the Blackhawks.
Asked when Mason will be available, Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol said, "There's no timetable."
Timonen's special night
Tonight marks Kimmo Timonen's retirement night at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers will honor the defenseman's career in a pregame ceremony.
NHL
Timonen, who sees himself as a Flyer and hinted Saturday he'd like to coach, was traded to the Blackhawks in February for one final run at the Stanley Cup. With the storybook ending as Chicago beat Tampa Bay in the Final, Timonen finally saw his name etched on to the Cup.
Jakub Voracek, who spent four years as Timonen's teammate, went out of his way to make sure he caught the final minutes of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Voracek said he was in Rome, Italy, with his girlfriend when Chicago won, but put in a wakeup call for 4:30 a.m. He wanted to be able to watch if the Blackhawks won.
"I'm so happy for that guy," Voracek said. "Let's be honest, he really deserves it. He gave a lot to the game and he finally got rewarded in the NHL. It was something fantastic to watch him raise the Cup and watch him be so happy. It's been incredible. I don't think it could happen to a better player than Kimmo."
As for his own game so far this season, Voracek isn't pleased with it. The 26-year-old is pointless in three games but is coming off his strongest effort. Playing with Claude Giroux and Michael Raffl, Voracek generated plenty of scoring chances against the Panthers. Tonight, it'll be more challenging against the Blackhawks.
"It's going to be a tough game," he said. "A lot of skating, we know how they are. Let's be honest, they are the best team in the NHL. We usually get up for those games and play those teams well."
Wayne Simmonds, who said he had a "big smile on my face" when Timonen raised the Cup, wants the Flyers to build off their home-opening win. Monday's effort featured the Flyers playing their most physical contest of the season under Hakstol, and it was a game the Flyers would not have won last year, Simmonds said.
"It's our job to come out here and have another solid home game and keep the game simple," he said. "They are a very talented team and they tend to capitalize off your mistakes. We have to keep the game simple."
Lines
With R.J. Umberger out again with an upper-body injury, the Flyers will roll with the same lineup as Monday night with one minor change.
Sam Gagner remains in the lineup but will play left wing with Scott Laughton and Matt Read. Simmonds moves back with Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn.
Gagner, who was a healthy scratch in the first two games, played wing with Couturier and Schenn in his Flyers debut Monday night.
The 26-year-old picked up an assist on the lone goal in the Flyers' 1-0 win. Though naturally a center, Gagner can play all three forward positions.
Against the Blackhawks, Hakstol believes the switch makes sense because it will add some playmaking to the third line.
"We have some options there right now," Hakstol said of switching Gagner and Simmonds. "I like what Sam did (Monday). I thought he brought a little bit of offense to the game. He played hard two ways, but those two have a little different element. I just wanted to make that change tonight."
Other lineup notes: Luke Schenn remains out as a healthy scratch. The defenseman was the first player on the ice during the morning skate and worked with Ian Laperriere well before the practice began. Radko Gudas will stay in the lineup and will play with Evgeny Medvedev.