TORONTO -- After not playing four games in a row, Steve Mason is making his second consecutive start in goal Friday when the Flyers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.
"It’s not fun sitting on the bench for any extended period of time,” Mason said on Friday after the team’s morning skate. “I’m looking forward to going out there and having a good game tonight and just continue to build on it.”
Friday marks the 10th game Mason will play in this season and his eighth start. He has been sharing the goaltending duties, with Michal Neuvirth taking part in eight games this season. Mason was not about to speculate on how the goaltending situation might evolve.
“I don’t expect anything,” he said. “I don’t try to look too far ahead. All I see is that this is an opportunity and try to make the most of it.”
Coach Dave Hakstol said Friday he is not trying to determine a No. 1 goaltender and that he considers Neuvirth and Mason a “tandem” that was successful last season.
Mason stopped 33 shots on Tuesday in the Flyers' 3-2 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
The Flyers have allowed 51 goals in 14 games entering Friday.
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“We really just haven’t been good enough,” Mason said. “We realize that.”