VOORHEES, N.J — They say the measure of an elite goaltender is how he reacts to a tough loss. Or, in the case of Flyers goalie Dan Vladar’s performance in last Monday’s 5-1 defeat by Pittsburgh, one in which he played below his standards.

Even after that effort, Vladar still stands in the NHL’s top 20 in both goals per game (18th, 2.59) and save percentage (19th, .906). He could get some redemption when the Flyers host to the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche Sunday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Coach Rick Tocchet likes the way the 27-year-old buckles down after having a tough game. The statistics back it up. Vladar has not had back-to-back losses all season, which helps account for a 10-5-1 record.

“He acts the same way after a bad game and he hasn’t had many of them,” Tocchet said after Saturday’s practice. “That’s what I love about him. He’s a consistent guy, even practice. He’s still talking, still working at this game. That’s how I measure guys.”

Vladar’s career high for games played in a season is 30, with Calgary last season. He’s already at 16. At this rate, he’ll set a new standard before the Olympic break in February.

“I just spend a little more time on recovery and stuff,” he said after Saturday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “And Dilly (goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh) has been in the league for a long time, he’s given me some guidance. You don’t have to copy anyone else, just be yourself and get better at it.”

Taking all those numbers into consideration, has Vladar exceeded Tocchet’s preseason expectations?

“I know he’s put the work in, because I remember him in Calgary, even then I thought he was a good goalie,” Tocchet said. “He looks quicker. In goalmouth scrambles he looks really big. I don’t see him over-pursuing.

“How many times are there where he’s made the second save? That’s when you know a goalie is dialed in. He makes that initial, there’s a rebound or something, he’s in position for that rebound. Some goalies are all in on a shot and the rebound goes in. I’ve seen so many times this year he’s been in position for the second shot. So you know he’s put his work in.”

Perhaps even Vladar has surprised himself a bit by how well he’s played.

“I just try to take it week-by-week, day-by-day,” he said. “It’s the NHL, things happen fast here. You can be overwhelmed by the whole pressure thing. Just enjoy the 82 games, break down the season into two-week (segments). Then the time kind of flies, it’s crazy how fast it goes.”

In NHL.com’s predictions about who will be on Team Czechia’s Olympic team at Milano-Cortina, Vladar is one of three goaltenders projected, along with Jakub Dobes of Montreal and Lukas Dostal of Anaheim.

It’s pretty remarkable considering Vladar underwent hip surgery in 2024. When training camp opened, he was viewed as a likely backup to Sam Ersson. But Vladar started opening night and hasn’t looked back. Going

into last Wednesday night’s game against Buffalo, Vladar’s 16 starts had doubled Ersson’s eight.

“First of all, I’ve gotten a lot of trust from my teammates,” Vladar said. “And from the coaching staff. That helps a lot. I think the guys are doing a real good job in front of me. It makes my life a lot easier. I’m having a blast so far. I just hope as a team we keep doing the right things.”

The goalies have had to learn in a new system implemented by Tocchet. That’s gone remarkably well considering the brief amount of time to catch on.

After 26 games, a lot of the principles have begun to sink in. Now, the challenge is to utlilize them on a consistent basis.

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NOTES >> Cam York (upper-body injury) is listed as questionable for Colorado. “Slight option for tomorrow,” is the way Tocchet put it. The Flyers recalled defenseman Ty Murchison from Lehigh Valley on Saturday. … When Sean Couturier hits the ice against the Avalanche, it will be his 900th NHL game. Nick Seeler will be playing NHL game No. 400.