When the Flyers acquired Petr Mrazek from Detroit out of necessity in February, Ron Hextall explained the trade as a reward for his players' hard work.
"We're in a tough situation - you lose your top two goalies when you're fighting for a playoff spot," Hextall said then, "and our players have worked hard for a long time now. I didn't feel like it was fair to not have a proven NHL goaltender for this team."
One month later, Mrazek has been erratic, and the Flyers' grip on a playoff spot is loosening. With eight games remaining, Dave Hakstol owes it to his players to ride the steadier goalie, and that's not the proven NHL goaltender.
For the second time in six days, Hakstol was forced to pull Mrazek on Tuesday night, and for the second time in six days, Alex Lyon battled in relief, giving the Flyers a chance in a game they otherwise had no business being in.
Lyon stopped 11 of 12 shots Tuesday, holding off a determined Red Wings team and allowing the Flyers to fight back from a 3-1 deficit and force overtime. They lost, 5-4, in a shootout, but the point was huge.
We're tired of hearing that too. But at this stage, and with how the Flyers have played in March, any point is needed. The goal is the playoffs, and right now, the Flyers cannot trust Mrazek.
What we've seen from Mrazek in his short time here explains why the Red Wings soured on him.
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Mrazek showed glimpses of his potential in his first three starts as a Flyer, but since, he's been inconsistent and unreliable.
In his last nine games, Mrazek's 2-5-1 with a 4.03 goals-against average and .865 save percentage. He's allowed fewer than three goals just once. There have been far too many bad goals along the way too.
Last Thursday, Mrazek was pulled after yielding his fourth goal against the Blue Jackets, a team the Flyers are jockeying with for playoff position in the Metropolitan Division.
That relief appearance earned Lyon the start Saturday in Carolina, where he was again steady. Hakstol went back to Mrazek on Sunday and then again Tuesday.
Now, it's time to ride Lyon until the rookie shows wear on his tires and until either Brian Elliott or Michal Neuvirth is healthy enough to return, which likely will not be until closer to the final week of the season.
Lyon has not looked out of place since his second call-up of the season Feb. 11. In six games - three starts - he has a .933 save percentage.
The 25-year-old passes both the numbers and eye test, and it's time to show faith in him.
After Tuesday's loss, the Flyers dropped to the top wild-card spot, with Columbus leapfrogging them to third in the Metro. Both teams have eight games left. The Flyers are four points ahead of the Devils, who have one game in hand.
Then, there are the Panthers, five points behind the Flyers with three games in hand. Per Hockey-Reference, the Flyers have an 88.8 percent chance at the postseason.
We've seen crazier collapses happen, though. When March began, the Flyers were one point behind the first-place Capitals. They've picked up just eight of a possible 22 points this month.
At this point, it's about surviving, and Lyon gives the Flyers a better shot to stay above the line than Mrazek.
