Steve Mason knows the Flyers' game Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals could be a preview of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals 1-8 matchup come April 13.
So long as the orange and black continue to take care of their own business.
"That's the way it would shape up right now," said Mason, who will start his seventh straight game and 12th of the Flyers' last 13 games against the NHL-best Caps.
"Going back through years prior, we always had great games against them. This year, however, they've put things together on a consistent basis. We have to be at our best tonight."
The Flyers close out their season series with Washington at the Wells Fargo Center at 8 p.m. in the teams' second NBCSN Wednesday Night Rivalry game of the year (see game notes).
Since the last meeting on Feb. 7, much has changed. The Flyers find themselves holding the East's final wild-card spot because they've played fewer games than Detroit. But with the Red Wings idle Wednesday, the Flyers have an opportunity to go up two points on Detroit.
But what matters most about Wednesday is the Flyers have a chance to tie the Wings with 36 regulation/overtime wins (ROW), which is the second tiebreaker, the one that will determine who gets into the playoffs should the Flyers and Detroit end the season tied in points. (The Flyers already have clinched the third tiebreaker over Detroit, which is head-to-head points.)
NHL
So while the Flyers are in over the Wings should the season end today, Detroit would get in once both teams have played their 82-game schedule. That can change with a Flyers win Wednesday.
"It's there for the taking," Mason said. "We got helped out last night with some teams losing. At the end of the day, we have to take care of our business first and foremost."
That's what the Flyers have done over their last 20 games, going 13-4-3 and getting 29 out of a possible 40 points. So while there will be a playoff-like atmosphere in South Philly against the Capitals on Wednesday, it's been that way inside the Flyers' locker room for a while now.
"We are playing pretty confident right now," right winger Jake Voracek said. "And I think you can tell on the ice. It can help us down the stretch in the playoffs that we basically played in the playoffs for the last 15 games."
Washington clinched the Presidents' Trophy on Monday night with its 54th win. Some may argue it doesn't have much left to prove in the regular season, but Braden Holtby is three wins shy of breaking Martin Brodeur's record for most in a season.
The Caps have plenty to play for Wednesday night against a potential first-round opponent.
"We know they're the best team in the league," Voracek said. "Everybody knows that. They play like it. We beat them on the road, there's no reason we can't beat them tonight."
Riding the horse
The Flyers on Tuesday brought back a familiar face, a player who was here the last time the team made the playoffs on a professional tryout contract: Ray Emery.
Emery participated in Wednesday's morning skate but cannot play in a game unless he signs a contract. On Tuesday, general manager Ron Hextall said bringing in Emery was for depth, not to back up Mason. That job still belongs to rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz (see story).
As a veteran with a Stanley Cup ring, Emery said he's been in similar stretches as Mason, but not one exactly like this. Last week, the Flyers played four games in six nights. They have six games in the final nine days of the season beginning with Saturday's tilt against Ottawa. The Flyers have two days off after Wednesday's game against Washington.
What's it like to play as much as Mason has been asked to over the last few weeks?
"There's two sides to it, I think," Emery said Wednesday. "The bonus is you're really comfortable in the net. You're familiar in there. I think he's showing that, playing well.
"On the opposite, you know with back-to-backs and things like that, especially going into the playoffs, it's nice to have a night off every once in a while.
"I'm sure the team knows that and it's a different situation they're in. You have to go with the guy, you have to put yourself in a good spot going into the playoffs."
For Mason, who's been dinged up at times during the season, it's easier to play as much as he is because the Flyers are in a playoff race. It'd be a different story if they weren't, he said.
Mason has been outstanding in goal in the last two months, especially in March. Through 11 games this month, he has a 1.97 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.
There has been speculation he's battling a left knee injury as well, but at this point during an NHL season, it's hard to find someone who isn't banged up.
"When you're playing for something meaningful, it makes it a lot easier," Mason said of playing through bumps and bruises. "It's nice to be having some success as a team right now.
"It's always easier for a goaltender when you're playing consistently. I just come to the rink expecting to play right now, it's a good position to be in."
Projected Flyers Lineup
F: Brayden Schenn-Claude Giroux-Wayne Simmonds
Michael Raffl-Sean Couturier-Jake Voracek
Matt Read-Nick Cousins-Sam Gagner
Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Ryan White
D: Andrew MacDonald-Shayne Gostisbehere
Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
Radko Gudas-Brandon Manning
G: Steve Mason