Neuvirth not available for Tuesday's game

Steve Mason was one of the first three Flyers on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate. The goalie, who missed practice Monday for what the team called a "maintenance day," was taking shots down the far end - away from the Flyers' bench - off the stick of defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

The net they were using is usually reserved for the goalie who's not starting. The one closer to the Flyers' bench is known as the "starter's" net.

When goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh came on the ice, he signaled to Mason to go down the other end.

That's how Mason found out he was getting the start Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Coach Dave Hakstol said after Monday's practice that his decision on a starting goaltender would come Tuesday morning.

"It was up in the air yesterday," Mason said. "Different circumstances, but it doesn't really affect me. You prepare every single night as if you're going to be playing the games, regardless of the situation. Last night was no different."

The "different circumstances" surround backup Michal Neuvirth, who practiced Monday.

Neuvirth was late getting on the ice Tuesday morning. Aramark employee Justin Musciano was the second goalie on the ice for much of the morning session. But Neuvirth came on and tested whatever injury is ailing him for a few minutes before leaving the ice.

The Flyers announced in the afternoon that Neuvirth is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Flyers recalled Anthony Stolarz from Lehigh Valley to back up Mason Tuesday night. Stolarz takes the roster spot vacated by Ryan White (upper-body injury), who was placed on injured reserve and will miss the next 2-4 weeks.

Mason called himself a "routine-oriented" goalie, but said he wasn't concerned about not knowing his status until this morning.

"Yesterday would have been good for a practice but I needed to stay off," Mason said. "Today was enough preparation to prepare."

The apparent injury is Neuvirth's third of the season.