Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth making presence known early

— -- It's nearly impossible to map out a team's goaltending plan at the start of each season.

Realistically, the No. 1 goalie wants to play between 55 and 65 games, so the most successful teams have a solid backup. The Philadelphia Flyers believe they finally have a strong tandem between the pipes in  Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth.

"It's important because you never know when a guy is going to go down, you never know when a guy's performance is going to be a little bit off," said Flyers general manager Ron Hextall. "Thus far, it's worked well for us and you just hope you can give them both enough games to keep them sharp, because 82 games is a lot of hockey games."

Mason posted an 18-18-11 record in 51 games, with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage during the 2014-15 season. His save percentage ranked third in the NHL and was the second-best single-season save percentage in franchise history for a goalie who played the majority of the games.

Still, Hextall's priority during the offseason was to add another experienced NHL goalie, so he signed Neuvirth to replace Ray Emery, who wasn't re-signed.

Thirteen games into the 2015-16 season, Mason has started seven games, while Neuvirth has started six. Philadelphia didn't expect Neuvirth to play this much this early, but due to personal reasons, Mason missed two games and his partner played well. The Flyers, however, are on a six-game losing skid.

A veteran of 173 NHL games, Neuvirth has played for the Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders, but Hextall believes the 27-year-old goaltender will play his best hockey in Philadelphia.

"When you look at Michal's age and experience, he should be coming into his prime right now, so we were excited to get him," Hextall said. "We think he can play a lot of games, and the biggest thing you look for in both your guys is to give us a chance to win. Michal can do that, and he's certainly done it for us thus far."

This season, Neuvirth is 2-2-1 with a 2.10 GAA and a .938 save percentage, while Mason is 2-4-2 with a 3.34 GAA and a .902 save percentage.

"I've been in the league for some time now and I know what to expect," Neuvirth said. "I can't look too forward. I'm just going day-by-day and working hard. If you work hard, then good things happen. [Goalie] is probably the most important position in hockey, and to have any team that can have two guys going on any night is definitely a benefit towards the team."

Former Flyers goaltender and current NHL Network and NBC analyst  Brian Boucher knows firsthand how important it is to have a strong goaltending tandem. He played 13 seasons in the NHL -- six for the Flyers -- as both starter and backup.

"When you have a No. 2 guy that can really give you quality starts, and give your team a chance to win, it's a big boost to the team," Boucher said. "If there is an issue where your starter is banged up, you know the No. 2 guy can play. The Flyers right now [are] on their way to having that; with Neuvirth getting off to a great start is the best thing that could have happened, not only for himself, but also for the team."

Sometimes internal competition between goalies is a good thing. Sometimes it's not. The only time it's an issue is if one player is not accepting of his role. If a backup believes he should be the No. 1 and is not happy with the lack of opportunity he's getting, it can cause friction or become a distraction. When roles are defined and both goalies are professional, it can be a good situation for the team.

That's the case for the Flyers.

"It's very important," Neuvirth said. "Whoever is playing, me or Mase, the guys have the confidence in the goalies, so we can win any hockey game any night; we are a good tandem. [Mason] is awesome. He's a very good goalie, a great teammate. Even Kim [Dillabaugh], our goaltending coach, is very good and the three of us are a very good team."

Mason concurred.

"You have two guys that are quality goaltenders and that's definitely a bonus to have for your team," he said.

There's a reason Neuvirth believes Philadelphia is a perfect place for his career. It helps that the Czech Republic native has two countrymen in the locker room with him in Jakub Voracek and Radko Gudas.

A hockey locker room can be a lonely place for a player if he feels like he doesn't belong, and it can affect his play. Some players have the ability to overcome those fears and find a way to fit in, but others simply can't. In Neuvirth's case, he believes he's finally found a home in the NHL.

He began his pro career with the Capitals after Washington selected him in the second round (34th overall) of the 2006 draft. During his minor league development, Neuvirth helped the Hershey Bears win back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. He was only 21 during the second championship season, but his teammates knew he had a bright future in the NHL if given the opportunity.

"The year he was starting for us we won the Calder Cup, and he was a big reason for that," said former teammate Keith Aucoin, who is playing in Germany this season. "He's a technically sound goalie and he has a lot of confidence. He works hard every day. Not only that, but he's a really good teammate off the ice, too."

If Neuvirth can stay healthy (he was recently activated off long-term injury reserve with an upper-body injury) and is given the opportunity to contribute in Philadelphia, the Flyers could battle for a playoff spot.

"It's real important," said Flyers coach Dave Hakstol. "You can look anywhere, almost anywhere, throughout the league -- obviously there are exceptions to that rule -- but to be able to have confidence in two guys is a real strength. There's no question we have confidence in both of our guys."