Talking about the Flyers and goalies.

Back-to-back shutout wins.

Did Neuvirth channel Brian Boucher?

I always think of Boucher when I consider average goalies with flashes of brilliance. Neuvirth, I think, is better than Boucher - only because anyone worse than Boucher just has no staying power in the NHL. Maybe that makes these guys twins? I don't know. But for some reason I think Neuvirth is a solid goalie - when on a good team he has done fine with consistency. He's not losing many games he should win.

Anyway, it makes me think. Why is it that a goalie can come in and post games with success in bunches and then at other times the very same goalie disappears into mediocrity?

First, let me say - the Flyers' last two games have been pretty solid. Enough so that perhaps that Florida game (a 7- 1 loss) was the fluke - the necessary fluke - that reminds the team what less than 100% produces. Because top to bottom the Flyers are playing solid hockey. Count the rebound chances last night. Chicago had next to none. Just that one thing is huge and shows a commitment to defense.

Now, in light of how the Flyers are playing tight system hockey, this is why I think a Neuvirth-type goalies can come out looking so shiny and new.

He's been sitting. He even had to consider never being a starter again, probably, I mean, if he is realistic. His last three years have seen back-up on-ice time. Don't get me wrong, I think Neuvirth is talented. But the idea that these two shutouts being a result of HIS greatness...well that's just wrong.

So what is it? If it isn't him elevating his play?

Quite simple. When a goalie comes back in like this and makes his job simple and technically sound and the team as a whole is striving to correct wrongs and prove themselves, it's the perfect storm for a goalie to shine and look almost god-like.

So it's two things:

• Neuvirth is keeping it simple - not overplaying things and not being overly aggressive (which leaves holes)
• Philadelphia is playing hard-nosed, system-committed hockey.

And the second is the most important and the most over-looked, because the Shiny Goalie is all the talking heads talk about and easiest thing for fans and casual-observers to see. But go watch, teams that play system-committed hockey with the right mix of players always have goalies that shine.

* There are a few others right now doing this, in fact: Arizona, San Jose, Montreal, Florida, and Nashville