- Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins shouted out Dan Vladar on X after the goalie’s 42-save Game 6 shutout
- Vladar finished the series with a 1.61 GAA, .937 save percentage, and the Flyers’ record for saves in a series-clinching win
- Read below for Rollins’ message and how Vladar reacted to closing out the Penguins
Dan Vladar got his flowers from one of the biggest names in Philadelphia sports.
Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins hopped on X right after Game 6 to tip his cap to the Flyers’ goaltender. Vladar had just stopped 42 shots in a 1-0 overtime win that sent the Penguins home and pushed Philly into Round 2.
“[Dan Vladar] you are a BAAADDDDD man!!” Rollins posted on X.
That is a heavy compliment coming from a guy with a 2007 NL MVP, a 2008 World Series ring, three All-Star nods, and four Gold Gloves on his resume. Rollins played 15 seasons in Philly and is on the Phillies Wall of Fame, so when he hands out praise, the city listens.
Vladar earned every bit of it.
The Czech netminder posted two shutouts in the series and broke the Flyers’ franchise record for most saves in a series-clinching win. His final numbers against Pittsburgh: a 1.61 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. Philly couldn’t have asked for more.
Cam York scored the OT winner that finally ended things, but it was Vladar who kept Philly alive long enough to get there. His teammates have been saying for weeks they had a different gear in net. Now everyone else is starting to see it.
Asked about his mindset after the game, Vladar pointed to belief, per NHL.com.
“I was just trying to give the guys in front of me a chance and then I had the belief again that they are going to capitalize,” Vladar said. “So, obviously, glad that they did, and even better that it was ‘Yorkie’ who scored.”
You can hear his full postgame in the video below:
Round 2 is up next. The Flyers draw the Carolina Hurricanes, who swept the Ottawa Senators in their first-round series. Whether Philly’s run keeps going will come down to the same guy who got them this far.
Rollins clearly thinks they have a shot.
