{"id":540323,"date":"2026-04-04T14:09:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/540323\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T14:09:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:09:22","slug":"dan-vladar-steals-game-to-get-flyers-2-crucial-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/540323\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan Vladar steals game to get Flyers 2 crucial points"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Flyers entered Friday night\u2019s contest against the New York Islanders hoping to escape with two crucial points. That\u2019s exactly what they did following a solid all-around performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Flyers capitalized on an early mishap by the Isles\u2019 defense, and then added two more tallies to open up a 3-0 lead about three minutes into the second period. When the final buzzer sounded, the Flyers skated away with a 4-1 win and two huge points. <\/p>\n

The victory pulled the Flyers into a four-way tie with the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference playoff race. All four clubs have 88 points. However, the Senators have the momentary lead over the Flyers for that elusive second wild card spot due to the tiebreaker.<\/p>\n

But we wouldn\u2019t be talking about the Flyers\u2019 being on the doorstep of a playoff berth if it weren\u2019t for the performance by Dan Vladar. The Flyers’ netminder essentially stole the two points from the Islanders with a gutsy performance. <\/p>\n

Vladar stopped 21 shots, including 11 in the second period, to keep the Islanders at bay. The Flyers’ goalie had to make several key saves to keep Philly ahead. <\/p>\n

This unbelievable sequence, with the game 3-0 midway through the second, derailed the Islanders\u2019 chances of getting back in the game.<\/p>\n

THE GREAT 8\ufe0f\u20e30\ufe0f\u20e3 pic.twitter.com\/6wWueYLRiv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Islanders had about three chances to score, with Vladar making a spectacular save on a point shot. Had the Islanders scored on that sequence, the game\u2019s momentum could have shifted.<\/p>\n

But they didn\u2019t, and the Flyers pulled out a gritty win to keep their playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\n

Tocchet praises Flyers’ moxie in tough road game<\/p>\n

The win was all the more impressive <\/a>as the Flyers hit the road to face a rested Islanders team. But that didn\u2019t stop Philly from pulling out the win.<\/p>\n

Following the game, head coach Rick Tocchet praised his team\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of resilience from our team\u2026 I loved the energy, especially early. It\u2019s a tough building to come in, too. They had a couple of days’ rest. I thought, when they pulled their goalie, we handled the pressure pretty good. We used the bench, everybody contributed tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

“A lot of resilience from our team.”<\/p>\n

Hear from head coach Rick Tocchet following Friday night’s 4-1 win over the Islanders.#PHIvsNYI<\/a> | #LetsGoFlyers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2qhqa2XT3d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Indeed, the full-team effort was the difference between fading in the playoff race and pulling right into the thick of it. Vladar was the catalyst for one of the Flyers\u2019 best games of this season. The sort of momentum they\u2019re building, if the Flyers make the playoffs, could make them a very tough out for whoever they face.<\/p>\n

The focus will now turn to another crucial matchup on Sunday afternoon as the Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Another win could catapult the Flyers into a playoff spot. They\u2019ll need some help on the scoreboard, but things are looking good for a late-season surge. <\/p>\n