Flyers' banged-up Mason expected to play vs. Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Even though his left knee took a beating from a few collisions Thursday in a 4-2 comeback win in Colorado, Flyers goalie Steve Mason says he is healthy and that he wants to play as much as possible.

"He's 100 percent fine," coach Dave Hakstol said Friday after an optional practice at the Gila River Arena.

That's one of the many reasons the locked-in Mason is expected to get the call, again, when the Flyers play in Arizona on Saturday night, the latest in a long list of critical games during their playoff push.

It would be Mason's 10th start in the last 11 games, but he said he does not need a rest.

"I'll get plenty of days off in the summer," he said.

Hakstol wouldn't say whether Mason or untested rookie Anthony Stolarz would start against the Coyotes (33-34-7), who have won five of their last seven games and are coming off a 3-1 home win over gifted Dallas on Thursday.

The Flyers (36-24-13), thanks to a 10-2-2 run, are tied with Detroit (37-26-11) for the final wild-card spot, but they are technically ahead of the Red Wings because they have a game in hand.

Mason, who is resembling the player who was among the league's top goalies last season, has had an increased workload because Michal Neuvirth will miss the rest of the regular season with a knee injury. Fatigue, he said, is not a factor.

"I feel pretty energized," said Mason, who wore an ice pack on his left knee after Thursday's stirring victory, the Flyers' first in Denver since 2002. "I feel like I'm right in the zone where I want to be, and that's all I can ask for. And it makes it easier when we're playing well and winning hockey games."

The Flyers are 2-0-1 on their pivotal four-game road trip, and Mason has led the way. He has a 1.62 goals-against average and a staggering .955 save percentage in the three games.

"He's been fantastic," Stolarz said about his mentor.

Hakstol wouldn't give a timetable on when he plans to use Stolarz, but with three sets of back-to-back games remaining, he almost assuredly will get a start or two.

"We're going to need him to go in and play, and his job is to be ready when we make that decision," Hakstol said.

"I'm just taking it day by day. That's been the mind-set, and that's what Dilly told me, too," said Stolarz, referring to goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh by his nickname. "Just go out there and do my job, get better and keep working hard."

Hakstol seems to be leaning toward Mason for Saturday, but it wouldn't be surprising if Stolarz got a home start Monday against lowly Winnipeg.

Stolarz, 22, an AHL all-star this season, is eager to play.

"You want to get your first game," he said after taking part in practice. "I just want to experience it, especially at this time of year. But with games being so tight, and the team in the playoff race, I just have to be prepared. . . . I know the circumstances. I know going down the stretch, every game is big, every point is big. If my name's called, I just want to contribute."

The Flyers have allowed just one power-play goal in their last 11 games, killing 24 of 25 penalties. . . . Arizona's Nick Grossmann, a former Flyer, has been sidelined since last Saturday with a lower-body injury. . . . Last month, the Flyers defeated the Coyotes, 4-2, as Sam Gagner had the winning goal against his ex-teammates. . . . Ryan White has four goals in his last seven games. . . . The Flyers have 12 more wins than regulation losses for the first time this season.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

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