Flyers Goaltender Dan Vladar Fires Back at Doubters After Clinching Playoff Berth

Vladar's stellar performance in the shootout victory over the Hurricanes silenced the critics who counted out the Flyers this season.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting featuring a hockey goaltender in mid-save, with bold, neon-colored brushstrokes capturing the raw energy and intensity of the moment.A Flyers goaltender's heroic performance in net secures a surprise playoff berth, silencing the team's doubters.Today in Pittsburgh

The Philadelphia Flyers clinched a playoff spot on Monday night with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. After the game, Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar fired back at doubters who had written off the team's chances this season, saying 'We just proved everybody wrong.' Vladar made 24 saves in regulation and overtime and then stopped the first three shots in the shootout to secure the win and the Flyers' first playoff berth since 2020.

Why it matters

The Flyers' surprise playoff berth is a testament to the team's resilience and Vladar's standout performance in net. Many analysts had counted the Flyers out at the start of the season, but they have proven to be a tough and competitive team under new coach Rick Tocchet.

The details

Trailing 2-0 after the first period, Vladar shut down the Hurricanes the rest of the way, making several key saves to keep the Flyers in the game. In the shootout, Vladar stopped the first three Carolina shooters before Tyson Foerster scored the game-winner for Philadelphia. The Flyers' victory clinched their first playoff spot since 2020, and they will now face their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the first round.

  • The Flyers clinched a playoff spot on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • The Flyers will host the Montreal Canadiens in their regular season finale on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The Flyers will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which are scheduled to start on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Dan Vladar

The Flyers' starting goaltender, who joined the team as a free agent ahead of the season and has been a key factor in their surprise playoff berth.

Rick Tocchet

The Flyers' new head coach, who has helped instill a sense of toughness and competitiveness in the team this season.

Tyson Foerster

The Flyers' forward who scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to clinch the playoff spot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We just proved everybody wrong.”

— Dan Vladar, Flyers Goaltender

“The most that the Flyers can hope for this season is the continued progress of its young players as new coach Rick Tocchet power-drills fundamentals into them. They're going to be a tough out and fun to watch, depending on how much time Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov are given to create content. But the Flyers aren't likely to grab too many headlines in Philadelphia this season. The Jalen Hurts discourse can continue, uninterrupted.”

— Greg Wyshynski, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Flyers will host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, April 15, 2026, in their regular season finale. They will then prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which are scheduled to start on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The Flyers' surprise playoff berth this season is a testament to the team's resilience and the standout performance of goaltender Dan Vladar, who has silenced the critics who had written off the team's chances. The Flyers' success this year has proven that they are a tough and competitive team that should not be overlooked, and their first-round matchup against the Penguins promises to be an exciting and hard-fought series.