He is the first goalie to make his NHL debut in a playoff game since Jake Allen for the St. Louis Blues in the 2012 Westen Conference Semifinals and the 11th in history.
Vladar entered the game at 11:18 of the second period after Halak allowed four goals on 16 shots. Boston was trailing 4-1 and lost 7-1 to fall behind in the best-of-7 series.
It was not how the Bruins pictured their goalie situation playing out.
"Listen, it was at a point where we felt that if we need Dan Vladar, maybe this is a better way to get him some work," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Less a reflection on Jaro. Give him a break. Let's get a look at [Vladar].
"Tampa [Bay] got energized from that second period, and I think we were deflated. I just had a gut feeling our guys were going to have a tough time pushing back from three goals down, so let's get a look at 'Vladdy.'"
The Bruins were in this position because Tuukka Rask opted out of the playoffs. On Aug. 15, Rask decided to leave Toronto to return home to his family, with Bruins president Cam Neely later referring to the situation as a "family emergency."
Which meant that instead of having the 1A/1B goalie situation that the Bruins expected heading into the playoffs, with Halak backing up Rask, they were forced to promote Vladar.
It was not optimal, especially with the Bruins and Lightning scheduled for two back-to-backs during the series, a situation that could have been split between Rask and Halak. Instead, Halak started Games 2 and 3, on consecutive nights, and lost twice. He is expected to start Game 4, which was originally scheduled for Friday, postponed and will be played Saturday (noon ET; NBC, SN, TVAS) in Toronto, the East hub city.
Vladar saved the first three shots he faced but allowed a goal on the fourth, to Brayden Point on a breakaway at 15:23. He allowed three goals on 15 shots in total.
"Good move by Point on the breakaway," Cassidy said. "He's going to score on a lot of guys with that move."
Vladar was 14-7-1 in 25 games for Providence of the American Hockey League this season and led the AHL with a 1.79 goals-against average and .936 save percentage.
Vladar, who did not speak with media after the game, had an eventful week. He turned 23 on Aug. 20, FaceTimed his sister on her wedding Aug. 21, and signed a three-year, $2.25 million contract Aug. 23.
And, now, made his NHL debut.
"I'm glad he got an opportunity to play," Cassidy said. "I don't wish it in that circumstance, but it is what it is, and he got some work. Hopefully he's better off for it down the road."
