Philadelphia Flyers Should Consider Naming Michal Neuvirth The Starter In Goal

I love Steve Mason. The Philadelphia Flyers netminder is supremely talented and can be argued as a top-15 goaltender in the NHL. However, Michal Neuvirth is just better — this season at least.

Mason missed the Flyers’ last game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday due to illness and Neuvirth made the most of the opportunity, as he’s done all season. After an ugly six-game losing streak, Neuvy helped the Flyers finally pick up two points with a 3-0 shutout in Manitoba.

Thus far, Neuvirth leads the league with three shutouts on the season and is currently sporting a .945 save percentage alongside a goals against average of 1.81.

That’s very, very good.

Neuvirth needs to be considered to take Mason’s job as the regular starter in net. As good as Mason is, he hasn’t exactly been the mirror image of the goalie who recorded a .928 save percentage and 2.25 goals against average last season. Although, Mason has been dealing with a fair share of issues this season from his recent illness to a family matter that caused him to miss a game and play horrifically in the early going of the season.

Regardless, Neuvirth has been so good that it has to be at least pondered to name him the starter moving forward. His rebound control is terrific and he has one of the best gloves in the league.

GIF Rewind: Michal Neuvirth stands on his head in Flyers loss https://t.co/T3ZNZx2AwN pic.twitter.com/b4ZNHZK8CO

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) November 4, 2015

It’s not even arguable that Neuvirth has been the Flyers’ best player this season, and if that continues, it will be hard not to promote him. Mason will likely get the start Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche, but if he doesn’t begin playing like the goalie many were expecting this season, don’t be surprised to see Neuvy eating up some of his starts.