GLENDALE, Ariz. — Steve Mason, who has made nine of the last 10 starts in net for the Flyers, limped off the ice after Thursday’s win in Colorado and later had an ice bag strapped to his left knee.
Time for Anthony Stolarz to make his NHL debut Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes?
Doesn’t look like it.
“He’s 100 percent fine,” Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol said of Mason after Friday’s optional practice that didn’t include his veteran goaltender.
Stolarz will have to eventually give Mason a rest, but Hakstol was hinting he’ll stay with the hot hand as the Flyers finish a four-game trip while trying to hold off the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The Flyers enter Saturday’s game with the suddenly competitive Coyotes tied with the Red Wings for the last wild-card spot, but hold a game in hand.
“Anthony’s got to be ready to play. We’re going to need him to go in and play,” Hakstol said. “His job right now is to be ready when we make that decision.”
Stolarz was one of only a handful of players to skate at Gila River Arena on Friday. Called up last Sunday to replace the injured Michal Neuvirth, the AHL All-Star directed all questions to when he’ll make his first start to the coach.
“For sure, you want to get your first game and experience it,” the 22-year-old Stolarz said, “especially at this time of year with the games being so tight.”
Mason has faced 87 shots over the past two games in Columbus and Denver. He made 32 saves against the Avalanche as Radko Gudas and Claude Giroux scored 19 seconds apart late in the third to give the Flyers the victory. He made a career-high 51 stops in Tuesday's tough 3-2 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.
With lowly Winnipeg visiting the Wells Fargo Center Monday, that may be a better spot to throw Stolarz in, especially with Arizona having knocked off West contenders Dallas and San Jose in the past week.
“They’re playing outstanding,” Hakstol said of the Coyotes. “They’re a complete team.”
The Coyotes almost certainly aren’t going to the playoffs, but they beat the West-leading Stars, 3-1, on Thursday, have won five of seven and have veteran goaltender Mike Smith back after a 40-game injury absence.
Coach Dave Tippett, a product of the University of North Dakota, where Hakstol used to coach, said after their practice that Smith will start against the Flyers.
The Coyotes and Jets are two of the Flyers' four remaining opponents over the final nine games that will likely miss the playoffs. Plenty of Flyers fans always turn out for the annual game in the desert, which could be a boost to a weary team playing for the fourth time in six nights on the road.
Will the orange-clad fans see Mason in goal? He’s stopped 106 of 111 shots (.955) on the first three games of the trip.
"He’s been fantastic,” Stolarz said. “The first-period shots, double-digit shots, 15-16 shots, he’s really held down the fort. He’s really been playing well.”
Loose pucks
Hakstol moved Jakub Voracek up to the second line Thursday night with center Sean Couturier. Three of the four lines produced goals. “We just felt like it was a good time for a little shift in a couple of areas for our team,” Hakstol said. “I thought all four of the lines played well. … Tippett made sure to point out to reporters as he left the arena that North Dakota had just beaten Northeastern in the first round of the NCAA Hockey Tournament. “One down, three to go,” added Hakstol.