Flyers Notes: Steve Mason starts in goal for Flyers

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov did not start one of the biggest games of the season Tuesday night, but he was not concerned about the decision to rest him.

Steve Mason, acquired last week, made his first start in goal for the Flyers against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

Bryzgalov entered the game second in the NHL in minutes played (2,059). He was asked if he felt he needed a rest.

"I was tired," he said.

After the morning skate, Bryzgalov said he was not surprised when he was pulled in the third period of Saturday's 4-1 loss to Winnipeg. He felt the same about not starting Tuesday.

"I am not surprised," he said. "Why should I be?"

It was a big game. The Islanders and the New York Rangers entered the game with a five-point lead over the Flyers and were tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference, where eight teams make the playoffs.

"You come to the locker and they tell you that you are out, and you can't do anything about it, you must accept it," Bryzgalov said. "What are you going to say?"

Coach Peter Laviolette said, "Mason was brought here to be part of a goaltending duo." He added that he didn't want to switch goalies while the Flyers were riding a four-game winning streak, which ended in Winnipeg.

On Monday, Mason signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract extension, bypassing the chance to become a restricted free agent.

Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn showed his toughness after getting hit in the face with a puck by a slapshot and returning to action in Saturday's 4-1 loss at Winnipeg.

"I got a few stitches and it swelled up but, it could have been a lot worse," Schenn said. "I came away lucky, in my opinion."

The Flyers have five players out indefinitely with injuries: Nick Grossmann (upper body), Danny Briere (concussion), Zac Rinaldo (left ankle sprain), Braydon Coburn (left shoulder separation), and Andrej Meszaros (torn left rotator cuff).