Dan Vladar admits he’s watched one Hurricanes goal “150 times”

The Philadelphia Flyers' season ended this past Saturday following a devastating 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4. The loss occurred when Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake's shot bounced off goalie Dan Vladar's glove, flew over his shoulder, and landed past the goal line to secure the series win for the Hurricanes, and ended the Flyers' incredible run in the playoffs.

Vladar played a major factor in the Flyers not only reaching the second round of the playoffs, but for clinching third place in the Metropolitan Division. Even after a strong first season, Vladar still can't get over the goal he gave up in Game 4.

While speaking with reporters, Vladar said he has watched that goal "150 times" and he gets angrier every time.

"Obviously, that goal I watched a lot of times to be honest with you. I probably watched it 150 times and I was getting more and more mad, and it's still in me," said Vladar. "So that's going to be another fire that's going to be driving me forward. Obviously, goals happen, don't get me wrong. It happens every single day around the league. For me, that mentality of doing everything I can to set myself up, or give myself a better chance to be a better goalie next year."

Dan Vladar says Game 4-winning goal he allowed will drive him forward

This is what you like to hear from a player on your favorite team. Watching back a play and getting angrier that they were unable to make it. For Vladar, he is going to use that as motivation heading into the offseason and into next season.

The loss wasn't entirely on Vladar, as he was able to hold off an onslaught of shots from the Hurricanes. Vladar stopped 37-of-40 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's offense could only muster 17 shots on goal. Given the difference in shots on goal, it's hard to win a game like that. Not everyone can be the Montreal Canadiens, who won with just nine shots on goal in their Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

Vladar has had his share of flukey goals allowed in these playoffs. There was the goal in Game 4 against the Penguins, where he misplayed the puck behind the net, allowing forward Rickard Rakell to score on a wraparound shot. Then in Game 5, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang's shot hit the boards behind the net, and the puck snuck under Vladar's skate and was inadvertently kicked into the back of the net.

Even with these brutal errors, Vladar was still great in the playoffs overall. Through 10 playoff games, Vladar recorded a 2.18 goals allowed average, a .922 save percentage, and two shutouts.

If there is one thing the Flyers can take solace in, it's that they finally have their starting goaltending situation squared away for the first time in years with Vladar. When it comes to his second season later this fall, Vladar is going to be as motivated as ever.

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