Jackie Spiegel just reported that Rick Tocchet has confirmed Dan Vladař will start in goal for the Flyers tonight in Calgary.
That removes the guesswork. Earlier today, we reported that Vladař was expected to get the nod after Dan Vladař's expected start in Calgary was pointed to by his practice work, and now the coach has made it official.
Spiegel noted that Tocchet also said there are no other lineup changes, which confirms that David Jiřiček will continue to sit.
The start carries a little extra weight for the goalie. Spiegel pointed out Saturday that Vladař spent all of practice in the starter's net, and that this will be his first start against his former club.
Vladař arrives in Calgary with 9 games played this season. He is a goalie who knows the building and the Flames' room, and he gets to face them with the Flyers badly in need of a result.
The Flyers are 4-10-4 and sit 30th in the NHL, with a two-game losing streak hanging over them. Their last outing was a 3-2 loss at the Rangers on Thursday.
Calgary is not exactly a soft landing. The Flames are 7-9-1 and also lost their last two, but they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and bring a lot more confidence into the night than Philadelphia does.
A projected Flames lineup post lists Devin Cooley, so that is who we expect in the other crease, though it is only a projection at this point.
## PLACEHOLDER
Why Jiřiček keeps sitting as the Flyers struggle
The bigger lineup story is on the blue line. Jiřiček has played 9 games this season with no goals, one assist and a -3 rating, and he stays out as a healthy scratch.
We covered Tocchet putting Jiřiček on notice a week ago, when the coach said publicly he wanted more from the 22-year-old. A week later, the message has turned into a seat in the press box.
That is a tough spot for a sixth overall pick from 2022, and a Flyers team allowing 61 goals can hardly claim to have defensive depth to burn. Sitting him again is a defensible call on form. It also leaves Philadelphia ice time to a group that has been giving up goals at a steady clip.
Away from home, the picture is rougher still. The Flyers are 1-6-1 on the road and have scored 39 goals against 61 allowed overall.
Tocchet is betting a rested, familiar goalie can steady things. We will find out soon enough whether Vladař gets enough help in front of him.
Quick hits
DETROIT RED WINGSElliotte Friedman reports the Sabres want in on Dylan Larkin "bad," while David Pagnotta says the Wild are holding their line. Buffalo clearly isn't backing off.
NEW JERSEY DEVILSSheldon Keefe says Anthony Mantha "will miss some time," and he is out tonight in Toronto. That is a blow for a lineup already tested.
COLORADO AVALANCHECale Makar was pulled from Sunday's practice and will be reevaluated Monday. Avalanche fans will be watching that update closely.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSMark Masters reports Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev are both out tonight against the Devils. That is two key defensemen gone at once.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGRotoWire reports Josh Morrissey will not play tonight for the Jets against the Lightning because of a wrist injury.
Latest Stories
Trade Rumor: Flyers poked around on EdvinssonTHE FLYERS' CREASE PLAN FOR CALGARYJackie Spiegel reports that Dan Vladař is expected to start for the Flyers tonight in Calgary, against his former club, the Flames.
Starting Goalie: Flyers eye ex-Flame in CalgaryTHE FLYERS' SEASON IS ON THE LINEMatvei Michkov has 10 goals, yet the 4-10-4 Flyers reach Calgary tonight stuck near the bottom of the NHL.
Trade Rumor: Flyers' slide puts Briere on the clockFLYERS HEAD INTO A BIG NIGHT IN CALGARYMatvei Michkov and the Flyers try to snap a two-game losing streak tonight in Calgary, and the road has been the problem all season.
Flyers look for a road answer in Calgary tonightTHE FLYERS BLUE LINE HAS A PROBLEMThe Flyers get a chance to stop the bleeding tonight at Calgary, and the numbers on their blue line say where the fix has to start.
Rick Tocchet's blue line faces a reckoning in CalgaryTHE FLYERS HAVE A ROAD PROBLEMThe Flyers have lost two straight and carry a 1-6-1 road record into Sunday's game at Calgary, with Rick Tocchet's team badly needing a win away from home.
Flyers carry a 1-6-1 road record into CalgaryTHE FLYERS HIT A CROSSROADS IN CALGARYMatvei Michkov and the Flyers face the Flames on Sunday in Calgary at 4-10-4, and they badly need a way to stop the slide.
Flyers need more than Michkov in CalgaryTHE FLYERS TALK IN CALGARYThe Flyers put Rick Tocchet, Matvei Michkov and Cole Knuble in front of the media after Saturday's practice in Calgary, one day before facing the Flames.
Rick Tocchet and Michkov speak before Flyers-Flames