Dave Isaac

@davegisaac

PHILADELPHIA — It’s beyond the point of a coincidence where it looks like balance may be soon restored in the Flyers’ goal crease.

These days, it belongs to Michal Neuvirth.

He made 29 saves Saturday in the Flyers’ 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. The Czech goalie has won three of the Flyers’ last four games, starting in each of the last three.

“It feels really good. I feel like the team they believe in me,” Neuvirth said. “That’s a good feeling. I’m just trying to give my best each night and we’ll see what happens.”

Steve Mason hasn’t played since last Saturday, when he pulled himself in the third period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs for leg cramps. He wanted to go back in, standing on the bench with his mask on and still holding his stick after the cramps subsided, but head coach Dave Hakstol wouldn’t allow it.

Since the onset of the season Hakstol has called Mason the Flyers’ No. 1 goalie, but he’s been doing a whole lot of spectating recently. Neuvirth finished the game in Toronto, making nine saves on 10 shots and standing tall until Shayne Gostisbehere won it in overtime.

Win keeps Flyers within striking distance of playoffs

Neuvirth’s latest win got the Flyers to within one point of a playoff spot for a couple hours. The one before that came on a save-of-the-year candidate, a cross-crease dive by Neuvirth where he stopped the puck with his stick with three seconds left. He’s played 28 games this season to Mason’s 37. A platoon in goal can be effective, but at a certain point, especially if a team makes the playoffs, there needs to be a bona fide No. 1.

“Being in the net, the last couple of nights Neuvy’s done his job for us. It’s his job and it’s Mase’s job to be ready to go the next time we get back here for a game night,” Hakstol said. “Whichever of the two, they’ve got to go out there and do the job and it’s at a heightened level at this time of year.”

While the trend of starts suggests Neuvirth has taken over the crease, the numbers would suggest something else.

Over his last seven appearances, Neuvirth has a 4-1-2 record with a 2.35 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. Mason has a 1-3-1 record in his last seven appearances, but his save percentage is a little higher at .914 and his goals-against average is similar at 2.69.

Monday at 3 p.m. marks the NHL’s trade deadline and neither Mason nor Neuvirth are expected to go anywhere. General manager Ron Hextall wants to keep both, unsure if 2012 second-round pick Anthony Stolarz, who has not yet made his NHL debut, can cut it at this level.

If the Flyers do indeed have a goalie controversy, they won’t get out of it via a trade.

Stay tuned to see who starts Monday against the Calgary Flames.

“We’ll do what we always do. We’ll evaluate it day-by-day,” Hakstol said. “Neuvy’s done a great job for us. If you look at our second period, he was our best player in the second period so he did an excellent job for his teammates.”

A new celebration

Although this is the time of year for the flu to be going around NHL locker rooms, the Flyers aren’t performing proper sneezing etiquette. The “dabbing” dance phenomenon has hit the team.

Within the past week, Scott Laughton and Sam Gagner have both performed the move in celebration of goals. Saturday it was Gagner who “dabbed” on his former team, nodding into his right elbow on the bench.

“It starts with Gags,” said Laughton, who “dabbed” on the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday. “We just have an inside joke. They caught me first (on camera), but I think they caught him today so I’m glad.”

Gagner confirmed he started the trend on his team, which has become popular by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

“I’m a Tom Brady fan so I wanted obviously for them to win the Super Bowl,” Gagner said. “When they didn’t, I cheered for Carolina and I was dabbing just as a joke. It just kind of went from there.”

Line coming together

Nick Cousins has been making his case that he can play in the NHL full-time, although Hextall said it was too soon to decide that. His line with Laughton and Matt Read has played well recently.

“I think those three guys have been pretty good together for the most part,” Hakstol said. “They took a little step back two nights ago. I don’t think they had their best night, but got back to it again today and contributed.”

“We just have to continue to cycle pucks and hold on to them,” added Laughton, who scored on a nifty flip pass from Cousins. “That’s the biggest thing, don’t chase them around.”

Dave Isaac; (856) 486-2479;disaac@gannettnj.com.