WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Michal Neuvirth became the NHL's first goalie to pitch three shutouts this season after the Flyers' 3-0 win over the Jets on Saturday night (see game story).
"That's the way we wanted to end this road trip," the goalie said. "It's been a long 10 days. I thought we were getting better each game. It's a great team effort."
Neuvirth came into the season with seven career shutouts — all with Washington. His shutouts with the Flyers all involved games in which he started and finished — not in relief.
"I'm just working hard every day," he said. "I feel good out there and just focusing on myself and not worrying about other things."
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Neuvirth became the first Flyers goalie in franchise history to record three or more shutouts in his first seven starts.
Not too shabby, and it raises an interesting question: Does Neuvirth get the start Tuesday night at home against the Colorado Avalanche?
He certainly deserves it and right now, as the backup, he is actually ahead of No. 1 goalie Steve Mason in every statistical category.
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"We'll worry about evaluating all of that and thinking about those decisions a day or two down the road," head coach Dave Hakstol said.
"His performance [Saturday] — not just that first save [on Mathieu Perreault] — he was seeing the puck well and he did a good job for his teammates and his teammates did a good job for him."
He now has a 1.81 goals-against average and .945 save percentage, which leads the league.
"He gave us a chance to win and a chance to get points in the games he played," Hakstol said.
His teammates lauded him.
Combine a 5-for-5 penalty-kill performance with Neuvirth, it made things easier for the Flyers to win.
"Neuvy has been awesome the whole season," defenseman Luke Schenn said. "He made some really big saves out there. He plays with so much confidence.
"As a defenseman, when you have a goalie backing you up like that, it allows your goalie to feel they can make more plays and play with confidence."