Mason injury not severe; could face Caps

Goalie Steve Mason's MRI Wednesday apparently showed that his injury was not major because the Flyers said he would take part in Thursday's morning skate.

That means he could play Thursday against Alex Ovechkin and visiting Washington _ and that there is no need to promote Rob Zepp from the AHL Phantoms.

The Flyers did not reveal the results of the MRI. In fact, they wouldn't reveal whether it was an upper-  or lower-body injury.

Mason left practice Wednesday in Voorhees because of what GM Ron Hextall called "soreness."

Mason made 41 saves in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout win over Ottawa. He said he was injured making a third-period save, but remained in the game and starred in the shootout, stopping four of five shots in arguably his best shootout performance as a Flyer.

Late last month, Mason missed four games with a back injury. Mason's latest injury was not related, Hextall said.