Does anyone realize just how close the Philadelphia Flyers had come to being where the New York Rangers ended up? Everyone remembers the horrific start to the season the Flyers had, and especially Claude Giroux, but Giroux ended up 3rd in league scoring and the Flyers lost to the Rangers in the opening round in game 7 by a score of 2-1 or we may have seen the Flyers up against the LA Kings for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. Will things be different this year?  Steve Mason proved his worth to the Flyers especially during that 2-1 loss to the Rangers where he played lights out in a must-win situation. GOALIES The Philadelphia Flyers, who always seem to have a problem with maintaining a true Number 1 net minder, took a stab at Columbus' Mason in a April 2013 trade. Mason, who couldn't seem to recapture his rookie year magic when in Columbus, was expendable because of the play of ex-Flyer goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky who was acquired the year prior. How ironic is that?  Well, Mason has proved to be the Number 1 goalie the team has been searching for, and he is only 26-years old.  Philadelphia just may be his cup of tea as he posted similar numbers last year as he did in his rookie season, except for the shutout totals.  Expect Mason to be Philly's guy for the foreseeable future. DEFENSE Losing a veteran presence like Kimmo Timonen is tough to replace, but the prior season;s signing of Mark Streit should ease that loss a little bit. The team also signed Michael Del Zotto to a contract hoping that they can light the fire in MDZ's belly after his promising career derailed in New York and then Nashville. Del Zotto still needs to prove that he can play at the NHL level night-in and night-out. The offense will come mainly from Streit with hopes MDZ can contribute something as the rest of the blueliners are more suited to playing a defensive style. FORWARDS It is amazing that with the start that Giroux had last year that he ended up 3rd in NHL scoring. That was an incredible pace and you could possibly see Giroux leading the league in scoring this year if he can play at that level from Game 1.  Jakub Voracek has found a home playing alongside Giroux and that shouldn't change a bit. Wayne Simmonds finally got some recognition with the year he had, scoring 39 goals with a career high also in points with 60. He can do it again. One player that will be on everyone's lips this season is Brayden Schenn who is set to breakout in a big way. 70 is not out of ...

Mason stopped 34 of 36 shots in a 5-2 win over the Rangers in game 6 last night. The win forces a game 7 tonight back in New York, one of three game 7's Wednesday. Mason has gone 2-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .939 SV% in three starts in this series, but has never won in Madison Square Garden in his career. Could tonight be the night?

Mason allowed three goals on 21 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 5. After a great outing in Game 4, Mason struggled a bit on Sunday and now they are one game away from elimination. Henrik Lundqvist has outplayed Mason and Ray Emery, but the Flyers will need to find a way to crack the 2012 Vezina Trophy winner if they are going to extend their season.

In his first start since April 12th because of an upper-body injury, Mason stole the show in game 4. He stopped 37 of 38 shots in the 2-1 win that evened the seres at twos. Ray Emery posted a 3.49 GAA and .888 SV% in the first three games, so it is clear that this is Mason's team going forward. Mason will look for a repeat of game 4 this afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

After the wheels came off for Emery in Game 3, the now healthy Mason takes over for the Flyers in Game 4.

Mason may be targeting Game 4 to return but in the end, it'll be Emery's Game 3 that dictates whether Mason will see action in Game 4.

Mason practiced for just 18 minutes on Tuesday and they Flyers said his workload would increase on Wednesday... Well he was not even at the arena this morning because he was receiving treatment. Mason is considered as day-to-day, Ray Emery will start Game 1.

Mason should be ready to go for game 1 of the playoffs.

Mason stopped 38 of 40 shots in win over the Panthers on Tuesday. The W clinched a playoff spot for the Flyers and earned Mason the night off on Thursday. He will likely start today and then get tomorrow off as he heads into the post-season as the Flyers number-1. A win today would be his 34th of the season, which would break his previous career-high set in his rookie season in 2008-09.

Mason stopped 38 of 40 shots in win over the Panthers on Tuesday. The W clinched a playoff spot for the Flyers and earned Mason the night off on Thursday. He will likely start today and then get tomorrow off as he heads into the post-season as the Flyers number-1. A win today would be his 34th of the season, which would break his previous career-high set in his rookie season in 2008-09.