After Dan Vladar's shutout, will Flames stray from goaltending rotation?

2 days ago
Calgary Flames goalie Dan Vladar makes a save on a New Jersey Devils shot at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by Darren Makowichuk /Postmedia

Article content

Calgary Flames - Figure 1
Photo Calgary Herald

When Dan Vladar snapped his squad out of a four-game losing funk with a 22-save shutout, he may have also put an end to the Calgary Flames’ goaltending rotation.

Article content

Article content

Article content

The Flames have yet to stick with the same netminder for back-to-back starts this season.

Article content

Article content

But after his goose-egg against the New Jersey Devils, it’s gotta be Vladar between the pipes for Sunday’s Battle of Alberta, doesn’t it?

Article content

Article content

Article content

“We’ll see,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska after Saturday’s practice, stopping just short of confirming the news. “There’s a pretty good chance.”

Article content

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Certainly, Dustin Wolf will understand if Vladar receives the starting nod for Sunday’s showdown with the Edmonton Oilers at the Saddledome (6 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

Article content

Article content

If Wolf had just delivered a donut, he’d be expecting the same treatment.

Article content

Article content

The 27-year-old Vladar wasn’t especially busy in the 3-0 win over the Devils, but he did come up clutch when needed. Most notably, he denied Jack Hughes on a pair of second-period breakaways.

Article content

Article content

“We didn’t give up a lot of opportunities but when we did give a chance up, I thought he looked really sound and solid,” Huska praised during Friday’s post-game presser. “You have to rely on your goalie in key, critical situations, and he was there for us tonight. I thought he did an excellent job.”

Article content

Article content

Prior to posting a perfect line in his first head-to-head matchup with his former puck-stopping partner and mentor Jacob Markstrom, you could argue that Vladar’s finest outing of the fall was an Oct. 13 victory in Edmonton. He stopped 25 of 26 that evening.

Calgary Flames - Figure 2
Photo Calgary Herald

Article content

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account

or

Article content

Article content

In this latest instalment of the Battle of Alberta, he won’t have to worry about opposing superstar Connor McDavid. The five-time Art Ross Trophy winner is currently on the shelf due to an ankle injury.

Article content

Article content

Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar stops New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by Darren Makowichuk /Postmedia

Article content

Article content

That doesn’t mean the Oilers will be an easy out. They torched the Nashville Predators on Halloween night, with Leon Draisaitl racking up three points and Zach Hyman scoring his first goal of the campaign.

Article content

Article content

“Leon has always taken pride, I think, in stepping up when No. 97 goes down,” said Flames blue-liner Tyson Barrie, who spent three seasons on the opposite side of this provincial rivalry. “And you can see he’s starting to do it again. You don’t want to let the big horse get going, so we’ll try to slow him down (Sunday).”

Article content

Article content

“Whether or not No. 97 plays, they have a lot of offensive players,” Huska added of the Oilers. “The forwards are really the strength of their team. So if we want to let them have room and space, similar to if we would have done that with New Jersey, then you’re asking for problems.

Article content

Article content

“So that’s a really big focus of ours — and I shouldn’t say it’s just against New Jersey or Edmonton. That’s the way we have to play against everybody if we’re going to be successful. So I just want to see the same commitment to that style of hockey.”

Read more
Similar news