The Flyers will once again ride the hot hand in net, turning to Dan Vladar for his third consecutive start as they look to keep their recent momentum rolling against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
Vladar’s steady play has quietly stabilized things in goal. Since taking over the crease, he’s looked calm, confident, and composed giving the Flyers exactly the kind of presence they’ve been searching for. Over his last two starts, he’s stayed square to the puck, controlled rebounds, and looked in full command through traffic. It’s not just the saves, it’s the confidence he’s instilling in the group in front of him.
Head coach Rick Tocchet has always valued goalies who project composure, and Vladar fits that mold perfectly. The Flyers look more relaxed and connected when he’s between the pipes breakouts are cleaner, puck movement is sharper, and the defensive zone feels far less chaotic. For a team still defining its identity, having a goaltender who brings that kind of calm every night is an underrated advantage.
The challenge now will be staying consistent as the workload ramps up. Vladar is expected to see plenty of rubber over the next stretch, and handling that heavier schedule will test his endurance. If he can maintain this level of play, the Flyers may finally have the reliable tandem they’ve been hoping for.
Up front, Rodrigo Ābols draws into the lineup, adding some fresh energy and two-way reliability to the bottom six. Jett Luchanko will sit this one out as a healthy scratch, a standard early-season adjustment for a young player still finding his rhythm at the NHL level. Tocchet has stressed development through accountability, and tonight’s tweak reflects that balance.
The Flyers will have their hands full with an Ottawa team that’s been strong on home ice, led by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle up front. The Senators can strike quickly off the rush, so puck management and defensive discipline will be key.
If the Flyers can stay tight through the neutral zone, keep their structure, and get another composed outing from Vladar, they’ll have a strong chance to leave Ottawa with two points.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre.