Flyers’ Dan Vladar leaves game against Sabres with injury

While it’s currently unkown when or how Vladar suffered the injury, he seemed to laboring in his crease just before allowing Buffalo’s opening goal midway through the first period.

Vladar, 28, would stay in net for the remainder of the first period, but did not come out for the second period.

In 27 starts this season, the Czech national has a 16-7-4 record with a .907 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average.

Vladar is in the first season of a two-year, $6.7 million deal he signed with Philadelphia this past offseason. He has been a major factor in the Flyers’ turnaround this year. Last season, Philadelphia finished tied for last place in the Eastern Conference, and finished 28th in the NHL with 3.45 goals allowed per game. This season, the Flyers’ 52 points through 45 games has them competing for a playoff spot, and their 2.93 goals allowed per game (prior to Wednesday) is 11th in the NHL. Vladar’s 2.42 GAA is tied for eighth best in the league.

Initially selected in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, Vladar started just five games for Boston in the 2020-21 season before getting traded to the Calgary Flames for a third-round pick ahead of the 2021-22 season. He went on to spend four years in Calgary before joining Philadelphia, where he compiled 90 starts and 100 appearances, earning an overall record of 47-32-15 to go along with an .895 SV% and a 2.97 GAA.

The Flyers will visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, before returning home to play a Saturday matinee game against the New York Rangers.