Flyers' Mason to test Barclays sightlines; Leach tells his inspiring story

Flyers goalie Steve Mason will use Wednesday's morning skate in Brooklyn to get acclimated to the sightlines at the New York Islanders' new arena, the Barclays Center.

The Flyers will face the Islanders on Wednesday night.

"I've read some articles about it, and it's not the most standard hockey arena," Mason said after an optional skate Tuesday in Voorhees. "It was built for basketball."

In the morning, Mason said, he will "try to get the bearings down and figure out the sightlines because it's going to be a little bit of a different visual impact. Most arenas these days are, for the most part, cookie-cutter."

Mason, expected to make his sixth start in the last seven games, is concerned about the puck being camouflaged in the black seats.

"It'll be more of a mental test than anything," said Mason, adding he hears the end boards are more lively than in most other arenas. "... I'm looking forward to getting there to see what it's all about."

The Flyers (7-9-5), coming off a 3-2 OT victory over Carolina on Monday, will be trying to register their second straight win, something they haven't done since Oct. 24.

"In order to get back in the playoff picture, you've got to start putting some streaks together," Mason said. "Last night was a good first win, and we just have to keep building on it."

The Isles (10-8-3) have underachieved and will take a two-game losing streak into the game. They have been led by John Tavares (10 goals, 19 points) and Kyle Okposo (18 points).

The Flyers held at optional practice Tuesday and 11 players were on the ice: Mason, Taylor Leier, Scott Laughton, Shayne Gostisbehere, Claude Giroux, Luke Schenn, Ryan White, Evgeny Medvedev, Vinny Lecavalier, Jake Voracek and Matt Read.

Reggie Leach book signings. Former Flyers star Reggie Leach will return to the area to sign copies of his new book: The Riverton Rifle: My Story - Straight Shooting on Hockey and On Life.

Leach's memoir is his tumultuous and inspirational life story, one in which he traces his humble beginnings to NHL stardom, and follows the dramatic fall caused by drinking and his subsequent rebirth as a successful businessman, family man, and pillar of the Aboriginal community.

Here is his book-signing schedule: