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Michal Neuvirth replacing Steve Mason as Flyers face Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Michal Neuvirth (remember him?) will be back in the net for the Flyers when they face Columbus on Saturday afternoon at Nationwide Arena at 2 p.m.

Steve Mason had started the last seven games — and 11 of the last 12. In games against his former team, Columbus, Mason is 3-4-4 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.

Neuvirth is 2-0 in his career against Columbus and has a 2.45 GAA and .929 save percentage. He will make his first start since the Flyers dropped a critical 4-2 decision (including an empty-netter) in Toronto on March 9.

Coach Dave Hakstol said Mason can use a break.

"It's a good opportunity for him to get reset…but also we need a great performance from Neuvy," Hakstol said. "We need both of these guys going. They're critical points every night."

The Flyers are six points out of a playoff spot with nine games left. They would have to climb past four teams to get into the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot.

Boston and the Islanders (tied with 82 points apiece) play each other Saturday night, so even if the Flyers (76 points) upset Columbus, they will still be six points out of a playoff spot.

History lesson. The Flyers have one just win against Columbus in the last nine meetings, but the games have been extremely close. They are 1-3-5 in that span.

Columbus has won nine straight against the Flyers at Nationwide Arena, its longest home winning streak against any opponent in franchise history.

The Flyers' last win in Columbus was more than 11 seasons ago, and Ken Hitchcock was the Flyers coach.

Hitchcock, of course, later coached in Columbus.

Coach speak. Hakstol on the Flyers' listless road efforts against New Jersey on March 16 (a 6-2 loss) and against Winnipeg (a 3-1 loss) on Tuesday:  "A lot has been made of that. We've played two poor road games in the last couple weeks here. It is what it is. We didn't play well in those two games. Beyond that, consistency hasn't been an issue. We've played our tails off, with varying results."

Breakaways. With the exception of Neuvirth, the Flyers will use the same lineup that produced Thursday's impressive 3-1 win in Minnesota…..Travis Konecny has two goals in the two games vs. Columbus this season. He will be on the fourth line this afternoon…..Columbus is the only NHL team not to lose three in a row this season; the Blue Jackets have lost their last two.