After being a major strength in 2015-16, the Flyers goaltending has been a huge problem early this season. And that is really an understatement, as the Orange and Black sit dead last in the NHL with a .867 save percentage. With that level of play in between the pipes, it’s kind of amazing they’re not in a bigger hole than at 7-7-2.
- MORE ON THE FLYERS
- Schenn scores in 3rd, Flyers beat Wild 3-2
- Rielly, Hyman lead Maple Leafs past Flyers, 6-3
- The Flyers tried to convince Eric Lindros to make a comeback five years after he retired
- Happy 20th anniversary to the insane Ron Hextall-Felix Potvin goalie fight
Both Michael Neuvirth and , the Flyers’ 1-2 punch in net, have struggled. And now will have to introduce a fresh face to the goalie rotation thanks to an injury suffered by Neuvirth on Saturday night:
Flyers GM Ron Hextall announced this afternoon that goaltender Michal Neuvirth will be out of action 4-6 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Neuvirth stopped six of seven shots in the first period of Saturday's 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, but did not return after intermission to start the second period. He was replaced by Steve Mason, who stopped 19 of 20 shots and took the win.
Here is the play where Neuvirth appeared to be shaken up on, which occurred with about five minutes left in the first period. He finished out the opening 20 minutes, but Mason came on in relief for him after the intermission and led the Flyers to a 3-2 win:
The Flyers don’t have to specify the injury to anything more than “lower-body,” but CSN Philly is reporting that Neuvirth’s left knee in the area in question.
Neuvirth will likely be placed on long-term injury reserve, which creates the requisite cap space for the Flyers to call up Anthony Stolarz from Lehigh Valley. The 22-year-old New Jersey native, who is 6-2 with 2.39 GAA and a 0.927 save percentage so far this season in the NHL, figures to make his NHL debut at some point during Neuvirth’s absence.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann