Flyers Goalie Steve Mason Named NHL’s 1st Star

11-29-2016_FlyersvsBruins_3rd_credKateFrese-15

(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It's been quite the week for the Flyers, picking up five straight wins for their longest winning streak since March of 2014. 

Steve Mason was particularly excellent, and that garnered some attention on Monday when Mason was selected as the NHL's first star for the week.

"It’s a great honor," Mason said. "Obviously there’s so many great players throughout the league that can have great weeks from time to time. I think as a whole the team’s on a roll right now and I’m a benefactor of that with the strong play in front of me."

Mason was 4-0-0 in four starts last week, posting a 1.71 GAA and .945 save percentage. Mason also had a standout performance against the Bruins on Tuesday, making 45 saves and winning a nine-round shootout. Mason also made 38 saves on 40 shots seen in the third period of the four games.

Mason has been particularly good since taking over as the Flyers primary starter with Michal Neuvirth still out with injury. 

"I don’t think it’s any goaltender’s goal to play in a tandem," Mason said. "Everybody wants to be a number one guy who plays night in and night out, and that’s exactly what my goal is here to have moving forward. I think continued strong play will help with that."

As Mason's performance has picked up, so has the team's. The Flyers are on a five-game winning streak and Mason has brought his numbers back up from a dismal start.

"I think the team as a whole is just playing a little bit tighter in our defensive zone as of late and making the goaltender’s read that much more simple," Mason said. "Right now think there’s a real comfort level with the guys in front of me just because of the amount of hockey I’ve played lately, and I’m looking forward to keeping it moving. Winning five in a row is nice and we’d like to keep making ground in the standings."

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