With starter Steve Mason out for tomorrow, it’ll be Ray Emery in net for the Flyers.
philly.com

When the Flyers visit MSG tomorrow for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, they’ll do so without Steve Mason. The starting goalie still isn’t fully recovered from an upper body injury sustained against Pittsburgh this past Saturday. He left the game after two periods and was replaced by veteran backup Ray Emery.

With Mason ruled out for the beginning of the series, that means the 31-year old Emery will start instead. He’s certainly capable of filling the void. An experienced netminder who is a fighter literally, he’ll compete on every shot. Emery’s career postseason numbers are 20-15 with a 2.57 goals-against-average, .903 save percentage and three shutouts. He’s backstopped Ottawa to a Stanley Cup Final and backed up Corey Crawford on last year’s Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.

In the head to head regular season match-up, Emery started once and allowed four goals in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Jan. 12. Mason started the other three posting a 2-1 record with a 2.06 GAA.  His injury certainly throws a wrench into the Flyers’ plans. However, Emery is battle tested and the Flyer team defense has improved under coach Craig Berube. It shouldn’t be a cake walk.

The Rangers must treat it as they would if Mason was in. It’s still the same approach. Establish themselves early and feed off what should be a loud Garden environment. It’s one of the best rivalries. Given recent history with Philadelphia taking the last three series, there’s plenty of incentive. All-time, the Flyers lead the Rangers six to four. This is the 11th playoff meeting.