Flyers Weigh Whether to Break Their Goalie Rotation

Philadelphia’s goaltenders have shared the work evenly, each appearing in eight games, and the team is weighing whether to give one of them a longer run. Coach Rick Tocchet said on November 2 that a goalie who has played well could get another start in succession, with the decision shaped by performance and the schedule.

Vladař had stopped 19 shots in a win over the Utah Mammoth on Sunday. Tocchet pointed to upcoming stretches that include consecutive games against Calgary and Vancouver, and another back-to-back against Columbus and Edmonton later in November.

The Flyers have won four games. They are allowing 3.31 goals per game and giving up 29.8 shots per game, while scoring 2.19 goals per game, the lowest average in the NHL. Forward Trevor Zegras said the two goalies had been among the team’s best players since the season began.

Woll ranks 12th among 53 goalies with at least five appearances in goals saved above average, at 3.4; Vladař is 25th at 0.1. Without the season-opening 7-0 loss, in which Vladař faced a difficult situation, each has a .899 save percentage. Tocchet said both have handled defensive breakdowns well and described them as team-first players.

The coach said he and goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh would consider how a goalie is playing and avoid overworking either one. The Flyers may continue alternating or give a hot goalie consecutive starts as the schedule unfolds.