VOORHEES — The decision for Steve Mason to remain out of the Flyers lineup appears to be mostly with the goalie himself.

The 25-year-old netminder, who was hurt April 12 in Pittsburgh, barely got through a full practice in New York between the first two playoff games against the Rangers. Ray Emery has been stellar for the Flyers through a win and a loss so far this series.

"Right now the way Razor's playing, there's no hurry," said Mason, who won't even dress as the backup in Game 3 Tuesday. "He's the reason we won (Game 2). I think even if I was ready, there's no reason to take him out right now."

The back of Mason's head hit the ice last time he played. He finished the final 3:33 of the second period, but didn't return for the third. Although the club nor the player will comment on whether Mason suffered a concussion on the play, the fact that he has had good days and bad certainly point to a head injury and not a neck muscle injury.

"You know how you feel when you're done with practice and I feel good with the goaltending part of the practice," said Mason after being on the ice for an optional practice Monday, "but there are other things that are affecting the decision."

One of them is, apparently, how well his counterpart is playing. If Emery weren't playing so well, Mason might be rushing back.

"There could be a little bit more urgency, but we don't have to cross that bridge," Mason said. "He's playing great."

Mason's isn't the only voice in the conversation as to whether he plays or not, but apparently it's the biggest one.

"When Steve's ready, Steve's ready," said coach Craig Berube, who said he'd take the cue from the goalie and how he's feeling. "There's nothing really to talk about it. He's getting close. I don't know how close he is. It's a day-to-day thing like it has been. He's getting better every day."

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