A chart comparing Steve Mason's save % during his rookie season in Columbus & this season.

See how similar they are? Obviously he's never going to be anything.

Of course only a (frank)ing moron would just look at stats without looking at the actual play.

While Mason's play has dipped, and it has dipped, he's also playing behind a team whose defensive play has progressively gotten worse.

Also, one has to factor in his age now and his maturity level, as well as his willingness to work on his game and overall coachability. That stuff was an issue in Columbus. Every goalie, from Martin Brodeur to Tommy Soderstrom has bad stretches. The Brodeurs bounce back. The Soderstroms don't.
- Jsaquella

why is kimmo on the 1st pp unit?

ok, so do those possession numbers translate to wins?
- hammarby31

More or less, yes...For the most part they have been getting wins regardless of the numbers. They have had games where they dominated, like the Habs game, and games where they got worked over-like the Vancouver game.

There's a few stats people live and die by the numbers. They're a good tool, but some guys put the numbers ahead of what they see to a significant degree.

Like Mason tonight, his stats are subpar. He allowed 3 goals an had a .900 save %. But without him, the Flyers lose in regulation and he didn;t allow a single weak or even questionable goal. But strictly on numbers, he had a bad game

pure stats will never tell the tale of a goalie. you need to watch the game. its the only way to judge the performance. there have been games where due to a heavily defensive team in front of him, all 25 shots a guy will face are pretty much perimeter harmless ones, and rebounds are quickly swept away by cautiously placed defenders. an odd goal or two gets in, and his team either wins or loses a one goal game. few games like that an a guy can easily rack up a glistening save percentage. then you will have a guy who faces 25 shots, comprised of uncontested slot rips, odd man rushes, and rebounds are potted by guys left unattended due to egregious lack of backchecking.

guy saves them more often than not, but still gives up 4 goals. statistics portray an awful game, when in reality he performed more admirably than guy 1.
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. Mason played great tonight, but stats wise, he had a bad start.

why is kimmo on the 1st pp unit?
- Winning

What, exactly, does Timonen on the first PP unit have to do with anything in this post, troll?

What, exactly, does Timonen on the first PP unit have to do with anything in this post, troll?
- Jsaquella

- Winning

And no, he shouldn't be on the first PP. I'd prefer Streit. He's better at holding the puck in and has a better shot, although Timonen made a good play on the Simmonds goal, getting the puck through the mess.

Exactly. Mason played great tonight, but stats wise, he had a bad start.
- Jsaquella

trust me, i get so frustrated when people just look at a goalies stats. for all of fleurys post season melt downs, he is an absolutely phenomenal regular season goalie for the way the pens play. his stats will never tell that story.

i know mason has dipped a bit, but watching him, i dont see any troubling signs. he still makes more miracle saves than softies allowed. the team defense has really been suffering as well, but obviously thats not masons fault. not that you should be in a rush to give him a dipietro type deal, but still. i think you guys have at the bare minimum an above average goalie with the ability to steal his share of games from time to time. he certainly should be more of the solution going forward than considered part of the problem

trust me, i get so frustrated when people just look at a goalies stats. for all of fleurys post season melt downs, he is an absolutely phenomenal regular season goalie for the way the pens play. his stats will never tell that story.

i know mason has dipped a bit, but watching him, i dont see any troubling signs. he still makes more miracle saves than softies allowed. the team defense has really been suffering as well, but obviously thats not masons fault. not that you should be in a rush to give him a dipietro type deal, but still. i think you guys have at the bare minimum an above average goalie with the ability to steal his share of games from time to time. he certainly should be more of the solution going forward than considered part of the problem
- stayinthefnnet

I think Mase is on the puck in a way Bryz wasn't. He is more competitive and handles the puck better. It's not close, really.

This Flyers team has enough skill to think they don't need to work hard, but not enough skill to succeed in the league. Top to bottom, they are tweeners, unless BSchenn or Couturier break out huge.

Mase has been their best player all year and I think he'll be fine.

I think Mase is on the puck in a way Bryz wasn't. He is more competitive and handles the puck better. It's not close, really.

This Flyers team has enough skill to think they don't need to work hard, but not enough skill to succeed in the league. Top to bottom, they are tweeners, unless BSchenn or Couturier break out huge.

Mase has been their best player all year and I think he'll be fine.
- johndewar

But the stats say that when he plays and the Flyers get scored on, then he also get
scored on. It's right there in the numbers.

Man that's a tough loss, should of been a win for them

Up coming schedule after Thursday's game against Blue Jackets:

1/25 - Bruins
1/28 - Red Wings
1/30 - Ducks
2/1 - Kings
2/3 - Sharks
2/6 - Avalanche

......

Like Mason tonight, his stats are subpar. He allowed 3 goals an had a .900 save %. But without him, the Flyers lose in regulation and he didn;t allow a single weak or even questionable goal. But strictly on numbers, he had a bad game
- Jsaquella

Mason's SV% tonight was .919 - 3 GA on 37 shots. I think you confused his stats with Hutton's.

http://scores.espn.go.com...boxscore?gameId=400484954

But your point is correct. He had no chance on any of the three goals in regulation.

Up coming schedule after Thursday's game against Blue Jackets:

1/25 - Bruins
1/28 - Red Wings
1/30 - Ducks
2/1 - Kings
2/3 - Sharks
2/6 - Avalanche

......
- Streit2ThePoint

Well the Bruins have been struggling a bit and the Red Wings are seriously banged up, but the next 4 games will be a HUGE challenge.

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!
- NYI44

Killed, no. You most likely will get a little verbal abuse here and there, but as long as your not obnoxious that should be it.

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!
- NYI44

You might get heckled a bit, but as long as you keep your trap shut you should be fine.

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!
- NYI44

Also, I wouldnt be worried too much because there will be a lot of happy flyers fans during this game. Flyers own the Isles.

Killed, no. You most likely will get a little verbal abuse here and there, but as long as your not obnoxious that should be it.
- BiggE

Alright thanks. I can handle verbal abuse. Hopefully it's a good game!

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!
- NYI44

Nah, you'll be fine.

Don't sweat it.

Also, I wouldnt be worried too much because there will be a lot of happy flyers fans during this game. Flyers own the Isles.
- GOA88

Happy flyer fans means guaranteed verbal abuse
In all seriousness, not trolling, how has streit been?

Happy flyer fans means guaranteed verbal abuse
In all seriousness, not trolling, how has streit been?
- NYI44

Streit?

Well, if I've ever wondered what it would be like to have a forward play the blue line for an entire regular season, I can stop wondering.

Streit?

Well, if I've ever wondered what it would be like to have a forward play the blue line for an entire regular season, I can stop wondering.
- johndewar

Trust me, I know how it feels

Hey guys. I know I've been in here a couple times asking you guys questions about tomorrow night's game. It's finally here and just one more question. Am I going to get killed if I wear my isles jersey? Even if I'm not loud or obnoxious. Thanks a lot!
- NYI44

You'll get razzed a bit, how you handle it will determine your fate. lol.

Trust me, I know how it feels
- NYI44

And if someone gets stupid and does give you a hard time at the game, just remind them that you hate the Rangers and Penguins as much as they do. Common ground is a good thing.

And if someone gets stupid and does give you a hard time at the game, just remind them that you hate the Rangers and Penguins as much as they do. Common ground is a good thing.
- johndewar

Thats actually a good idea... anyone give you poop, just say Crosby Sucks!