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Michal Neuvirth injured (again) at critical time for Flyers
Michal Neuvirth is a lot of things, but durable has never been one of them.
He was injured throughout his time with the Washington Capitals, including an injury when he slipped on a puck in warmups. Even this season, unquestionably his best as a pro with the Philadelphia Flyers, he’s had his injury struggles.
On Saturday, Neuvirth was supposed to get the start vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, but instead it was Steve Mason on in the crease for that 4-1 loss. He sat on the bench, looking rather uncomfortable.
On Sunday, GM Ron Hextall announced that Neuvirth will miss three weeks with a lower body injury.
From the Flyers:
The announcement comes prior to the team’s optional practice in Voorhees, NJ before they depart for Long Island to kick off a four-game road trip beginning with the Islanders on Monday night.
Neuvirth has a 17-8-4 mark in his first season with the Flyers through 31 games. He has a 2.28 goals-against average, which is on pace for a new career high, and his .925 save percentage ranks fifth among all NHL goaltenders with a minimum of 22 games played.
When they’ve had Mason and Neuvirth both healthy, the Flyers have had one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL this season, with a 2.60 team GAA average, which is better than teams like the Rangers and Bruins this season.
Without Neuvirth for their playoff push – as the Flyers are three points in back of the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild card, with two games in-hand – all of a sudden goaltending could make or break that push.
Making matters worse, the Flyers have four back-to-back scenarios for the remainder of the season and finish with four games in five nights. It appears likely that Anthony Stolarz, who was recalled under emergency conditions, will make his NHL debut at some point before the regular season concludes.
… Stolarz, 22, is a New Jersey native and a second-year pro. He was an All-Star this season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and has a 19-15-7 record in 42 games with a 2.59 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. He has yet to make his NHL debut so it will be interesting to see if the Flyers trust him to be between the pipes in the midst of a playoff push.
The Flyers’ last six games of the season are in back-to-back situations, including vs. the Penguins and at the New York Islanders to end the season – two teams they’re chasing down for a playoff spot.
Really, really tough break for the Flyers. But this is Neuvirth, for better or wrose.
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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
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