One year is big difference for Flyers' MacDonald

LOS ANGELES - In one year, Andrew MacDonald has gone from embarrassed minor-leaguer to a first-pair defenseman with the Flyers.

MacDonald, who was banished to the AHL's Phantom's during last year's training camp, was paired with Shayne Gostisbehere when the Flyers opened their season Friday in Los Angeles.

"He's a true pro," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. "I can't say enough about him."

MacDonald had a solid training camp this year.

"Last year didn't go very well, but I came up, played with Ghost, and we played pretty well," MacDonald said before Friday's game. "We had some pretty good chemistry together, and we've just tried to carry that into camp this year."

MacDonald said that he was "just happy to be here" and that playing alongside Gostisbehere makes his job easier.

"Obviously he makes good reads out there, defensively and offensively," he said. "We just got comfortable together."

The Flyers were without defensemen Michael Del Zotto (injured) and Radko Gudas (suspended for six games) as they started their 50th anniversary season.

"Those are two big parts of our team and certainly they make us a better team, but we like the group that we have right now," MacDonald said. "Everyone played well at camp. It's a good test for us, but I think we're ready for it."

Michal Neuvirth started the opener, even though Steve Mason outplayed him during the exhibition season.

Neuvirth, who started openers for Washington in 2010 and 2011, is coming off a career season.

Getting the opening-night start "means a lot. It's huge game . . . and we want to start on the right track," Neuvirth said.

The two goalies are in the final year of their contracts and are playing for extensions.

Mason said he would have "liked to have played" in the opener, "but it's the coach's decision, and I'm not going to let it affect me."

He will start Saturday in Arizona.

"That's basically the approach I'm taking this year - one game at a time - and whatever happens along the way, I'm going to do my best to keep an even mind-set and just try to be real focused this year," Mason said.

Whichever goalie plays better will likely start Tuesday in Chicago.

Travis Konency and Ivan Provorov, 19-year-old rookies, said they both slept well Thursday, the night before their NHL debuts. Konency on his first game: "It's big for my family and friends, and everyone back home is really excited, and I'm definitely excited. But I'm trying to treat it just like another game. It hasn't really hit me yet." . . . Coach Dave Hakstol hinted that winger Roman Lyubimov, who had an outstanding preseason, will make his NHL debut Saturday. . . . Brayden Schenn will miss the first three games because of a suspension. He will not face his former team (Los Angeles), his brother Luke's team (Arizona), or Chicago. "It's not fun sitting out and doing bag skates and extra work," he said. "It'll all be over Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to playing some hockey and joining the guys again." . . . Adam F. Goldberg, creator of The Goldbergs - he grew up idolizing the Flyers and features them at every chance in his sitcom - attended Friday's game.

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