Flyers get huge Dan Vladar update ahead of chance to sweep Penguins in Game 4

Despite suffering an apparent arm injury that kept him off the ice on Thursday and Friday, Dan Vladar will be between the pipes when the Philadelphia Flyers try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins and sweep the Battle of Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

Vladar participated in the morning skate, and head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed shortly afterwards that he would once again be getting the nod for Game 4.

The 28-year-old was terrific down the stretch and has been just as good in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’s allowed just four total goals through three games, and sports a sparkling .946 save percentage in that span.

“You know how great he’s been for us,” said Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler, per NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman. “He’s kind of the backbone of our team. He’s a competitor. Always good to see your starting goalie feeling good.”

Vladar shut out the Penguins altogether in Game 2, making 27 saves in a 3-0 victory.

In the third period of Game 3 on Wednesday, he was contacted by Bryan Rust in the crease, and appeared to sustain a right arm ailment during the goalmouth scramble. Rust fell over Vladar, causing the former’s skate to get tangled with the latter’s blocker.

The Czechia native ended up staying in the game despite a conversation with Philly’s athletic trainer, making seven saves on eight shots in a 5-2 final.

He was the first goalie off of the ice at Saturday’s morning skate, which was a key indication he would start before Tocchet confirmed it.

Wednesday’s tilt was filled with hostility, including a wrestling match between Rust and Travis Konecny that resulted in a 10-minute delay, and 10 players being sent to the penalty box. It’ll be interesting to see if the contest is just as heated considering it’s win or go home for the Penguins.

The crowd was rocking at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philly’s first home playoff game since 2018, and it will undoubtedly be just as relentless as the Flyers look to silence their Metropolitan Division archrivals and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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