Mason or Emery?

There is no goaltending controversy in Philadelphia. Steve Mason is the Flyers' starting goaltender.

However, Craig Berube admitted after Wednesday's win in Pittsburgh that Ray Emery (2-0-1) has given him something to think about in terms of tomorrow night's starter against Detroit.

"We'll look at it and talk about it, like we do everything," Berube said. "We're going to put the best possible lineup on the ice on Saturday."

Mason, 26, has allowed 18 goals on 147 shots (.878 save percentage). He has not gotten much support defensively in 5 starts, but refused to let that serve as an excuse after Tuesday's shellacking in Chicago.

"Guys are supportive, but at the same time, it's my job to stop the puck," Mason said. "Sometimes, you've got to find ways to make saves that maybe you weren't supposed to make."

There's no reason to suggest Mason's save percentage won't rise back toward his career save percentage of .907. Many of the NHL's elite goaltenders are off to a rough start this season: Tuukka Rask (.880), Henrik Lundqvist (.894), Mike Smith (.822), Cory Schneider (.898), and Ryan Miller (.884).

Until it does, Emery (.897) may just be the Flyers' man on Saturday night. There were only four occasions last season that Emery started consecutive games for the Flyers when Mason was healthy.

On Twitter: @frank_seravalli