PHILADELPHIA – It might have been the most anticipated morning skate in a generation or two.
Behind closed doors, the decision had already been made to let Flyers No. 1 goaltender Dan Vladar participate in Saturday’s traditional pregame warmup session, signaling he would be ready for Game 4.
But for other onlookers, outsiders so to speak, it was a pleasant surprise.
The Flyers were trying to complete a sweep of their cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins in their best-of-seven playoff series and Vladar was sure to give them the best chance of doing so.
For the record, the Flyers went into this series having not swept an opponent in a best-of-seven competition since a 4-0 whitewash of the New York Rangers back in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Vladar suffered what appeared to be an arm injury late in Game 3’s 5-2 Flyers’ victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday but he did manage to finish the game.
He was held out of practice Thursday, the team had off on Friday and so the drama continued for the better part of 60 hours.
That led to a lot of speculation about whether Vladar could play or if the Flyers would have to go to backup Sam Ersson.
When Vladar hit the ice on Saturday morning at XMA, there were smiles all around. The players were aware having the 6-foot-5 netminder available would make their job a lot easier.
Coach Rick Tocchet might have been the most relieved of all. He saw Vladar do some very good things in the first three games as the Flyers held the Penguins to just one even-strength goal.
Tocchet was aware as early as Thursday that Vladar would be ready for this one.
“Talking to him and stuff we knew it was headed in the right direction,” Tocchet said.
In the dressing room, spirits were high because Vladar, recent winner of the Bobby Clarke Trophy for team MVP, gave his teammates the best chance of winning.
“He said he’s feeling good,” Cam York disclosed. “It’s playoffs, it’s all hands on deck. It’s everyone giving everything that they have.”
Owen Tippett, dealing with some minor injury stuff of his own but well enough to play, said Vladar looked fine during the brief A.M. session at XMA.
“It was great, he’s played a hell of a series so far,” Tippett said. “He’s been great for us all year. So for him to come out there and see pucks – he was a little banged up after last game – he’s a true warrior. He’s going to do everything he can to put his best foot forward.”
What about the rise in the energy level on the ice when Vladar appeared?
“I think when we see a guy like that, there were a couple plays (in Game 3) that put him in discomfort but he battled through,” Tippett noted. “And look where he is now. So it lifts us up for sure.”
Noah Cates offered similar thoughts.
“He’s battled for us all year,” Cates said. “He’s such a leader for us, such a good teammate. For him to battle through Game 3, be out here is huge.
“We’re playing good hockey but this is the hardest game of the series. We have to be ready to go.”
>A battle-tested group
Tocchet knew the Flyers were going to face a very desperate Penguin team and figured they would be applying a lot of pressure in this possible elmination game.
“We’ve talked about every game being different,” Tocchet said. “There’s tons of pressure on us. There’s been tons of pressure on us the last two months. So we’re trying to deal with it.
“You just have to stay mentally in this game. Don’t worry about tomorrow, the what ifs. You can’t play that game. We’ve done a pretty good job with that messaging but we know they’re going to be desperate tonight.”
>Shooter’s eye
Early in the season, Tocchet emphasized getting quality long shots from the point and certain types of entries when the situation called for it.
Now the Flyers are getting goals from defensemen such as Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Jamie Drysdale.
That teaching appears to be paying off.
“I think working on it a lot the last couple months (helps),” Tocchet said. “We tell them where we want shots to come from more than others. Sometimes missing the net at the right locations is a good miss.”
Be the first to comment