(Sports Network) - Philadelphia got balanced scoring in its most recent victory, but if it wants to make it two in a row the club will have to do something it has never done before: score on Columbus goaltender Steve Mason.
The Flyers begin a stretch of five games in eight nights this evening when they visit Nationwide Arena and the Blue Jackets, who will look to down the defending Eastern Conference champions just two days after knocking off last year's Stanley Cup winner.
Getting goals from five different skaters on Saturday helped the Flyers record a 5-2 victory over the Maple Leafs and snap a three-game losing streak. Mike Richards posted his first goal of the season in addition to a pair of assists, while Danny Briere scored his team-leading fifth goal of the year.
Blair Betts, Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino also lit the lamp as Philadelphia wrapped a five-game homestand 2-3-0 after outshooting Toronto, 40-15. Goaltender Brian Boucher needed to make just 12 saves for the win.
"It's nice to have a game like this where everyone is contributing," said Hartnell. "We were relentless, our penalty killing was great and we were able to get the power play going a bit. It was a good game all around."
It is unknown if Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette will stick with Boucher tonight or go back to rookie Sergei Bobrovsky in net. That duo is splitting time with netminder Michael Leighton out due to lower back surgery.
Boucher is 4-0-0 with three ties and a 2.08 goals-against average in his career versus the Blue Jackets and 1-1-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .889 save percentage in three starts this season. Bobrovsky is 2-2-0 with 2.78 GAA and .901 save percentage over his first four NHL starts.
Whoever gets the start will likely face off against Mason, who has halted all 27 shots fired his way in his career versus the Flyers. He made 20 saves in a shut-out victory back on Dec. 27, 2008, then made seven saves in a relief appearance versus the club last year without a decision.
Philadelphia won that January meeting, 5-3, and has won three of its last four overall against the Blue Jackets. The club is also 2-1-0 with a pair of ties in five all-time trips to Columbus.
Mason made 30 saves in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks, stopping all 21 shots faced over the final two periods.
Derick Brassard shifted momentum when he got the Blue Jackets on the board with just 35.7 seconds left in the second period, while R.J. Umberger and Antoine Vermette scored five minutes apart in the third period to garner the win.
"It's a huge goal anytime you can score in the last minute of a period," said forward Rick Nash. "You know, we've been on the opposing end of that it seems a lot of times and you really gain momentum off of that going into the dressing room."
The Blue Jackets have won three of four overall.