The Flyers stole one. They lost the expected-goals battle 3.66–4.35 and won anyway.
Nashville generated superior scoring chances and lost 3-1. Expected goals favored the Predators 4.35–3.66, a 54-46 split — yet the scoreboard belonged to Philadelphia. D. Vladar's goaltending turned a numbers game into a one-way result.
The Flyers' netminder saved 3.35 goals above expected with a 0.958 save percentage. On high-danger chances, he stopped all six he faced. Nashville generated six high-danger chances of its own and converted zero — a disconnect between opportunity and execution that usually corrects itself.
That's where the breakdown lived. The Predators held 48% of shot attempts (24–26 on goal) and created six rebound opportunities without landing any. They had the better underlying game. J. Saros, facing 25 shots, actually outperformed expected by 1.66 goals, but Vladar's performance didn't allow that competence to register on the scoreboard.
Philadelphia's path to victory bypassed close contests. The Flyers scored two goals on 22 rush chances, translating transition into points. T. Konecny's wrist shot from the high slot (18:47, period three) typified the approach: speed, space, precision.
The Three Stars distilled the game. C. York posted two assists in 24:55, orchestrating from the back line. Konecny added a goal and an assist in 18:43, his efficiency a counterpoint to Nashville's struggle. N. Blankenburg earned the final star with one assist in 23:10, Nashville's most consistent presence in a team that underperformed by 3.35 goals.
When one team generates better chances and loses, the scoresheet credits execution. It should credit D. Vladar.
