Flyers Tweak Penalty Kill Coverage After Loss
Coach Rick Tocchet addressed a middle-shot breakdown with goaltender Dan Vladar at practice following a 6-3 win over the Mammoth.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Hockey
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Mammoth 6-3 on Sunday, halting a three-game losing streak. Head coach Rick Tocchet then discussed penalty kill coverage with goaltender Dan Vladar at practice in Voorhees, N.J.
Why it matters
The Flyers yielded two power play goals in the final four minutes of the win, and penalty kill positioning has become a focus as the team works to tighten defense. The team has allowed 2.78 goals per game over its last nine games, down from 4.00 in its first seven.
Dan Vladar has gone 3-0-2 over his last five starts with a 2.16 goals-against average and .910 save percentage, while denying 19 of 22 shots against Utah. The Flyers' improvement from 4.00 to 2.78 goals allowed per game is measured across their first seven and last nine games respectively.
The players
Rick Tocchet
Head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, who has emphasized protecting the middle and weak side on the penalty kill.
Dan Vladar
Flyers goaltender who has posted a 2.16 goals-against average and .910 save percentage over his last five starts.
The details
Tocchet told Vladar at practice that the team gave up a middle shot on the penalty kill, and he has emphasized protecting the middle and weak side so goaltenders can see the shot. The discussion came after the Flyers' 6-3 win over the Mammoth on Sunday.
Timeline
Sunday: Flyers defeat Mammoth 6-3, halting a three-game skid.
Monday: Tocchet discusses penalty kill coverage with Vladar at practice.
The Season Trajectory
The Flyers' goals allowed fell from 4.00 per game over their first seven games to 2.78 over their last nine, a shift that places the team's recent defensive stabilization within a season that began with struggles. Penalty kill adjustments like those discussed at practice are a key factor in whether this improvement holds.
Fantasy managers and bettors tracking Dan Vladar should note his recent run of 3-0-2 in five starts and .910 save percentage, which together signal a goaltender playing at a steadier level. The Flyers' improved goals-against trend over the last nine games also affects how the team's penalty kill is weighed in game-by-game projections.
The takeaway
Tighter middle-lane coverage on the penalty kill, as Tocchet has stressed, is one of the most direct ways a team can cut the goals that decide close games.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Hockey for the latest on Philadelphia Flyers goaltending and special teams.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
