Field Level Media
07 May 2026, 01:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
Trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia Flyers will be without versatile two-way center Noah Cates for the remainder of the series due to a lower-body injury.
Cates, 27, has four points (one goal, three assists) in eight playoff games following the best offensive season of his career, when he posted 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in 82 games.
'I mean, he's been Mr. Consistency all year. Does a lot of things for us,' coach Rick Tocchet said Wednesday. 'But like I said, it's no different than other teams. Next man up. You've heard the drill before.'
Cates averages 16:15 in ice time and is one of the league's top defensive forwards, as the Flyers averaged only 1.67 goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 during the regular season with him on the ice.
Despite losing Cates, Tocchet is confident in the Flyers' centermen, including 20-year-old rookie Denver Barkey, who has received more time at the position. Trevor Zegras will return to center as a move 'to get him going,' Tocchet said.
Veteran Sean Couturier is a reliable option at the position along with Christian Dvorak, who is expected to play in Game 3 despite an undisclosed injury.
With the Flyers limited to two goals over the first two games, Tocchet is encouraging his players to have a 'shot-first mentality' to overcome the Hurricanes' defensive aggressiveness.
'I think to help some guys out that are struggling against Carolina, they've got to have a shot-first mentality,' he said. You've got to be able to make a play around them. I think some guys are overpassing and that's the one thing Carolina's good at. They make you overpass. But if you throw pucks at the net, beat their aggressiveness, you're going to get chances.'
The best-of-seven series resumes Thursday night with Game 3 in Philadelphia.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of BC Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.
More InformationDUBAI, U.A.E: U.S. military leaders said a ceasefire remains in effect a day after Iran was blamed for new attacks in the Strait of...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An investigation was launched this week by the U.S. Department of Education into Smith College, an all-women's institution...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: More than a week after the decision to block credentialed reporters from his government headquarters here,...
DUBLIN, Ireland: A taxi driver who refused a blind couple a ride at the taxi rank in Heuston Station in Dublin because they had a guide...
TEHRAN, Iran: Jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was in critical condition in a cardiac care unit in northwestern...
GENEVA, Switzerland: Medical teams were trying to evacuate two people who showed symptoms of the dangerous hantavirus after a suspected...
(Photo credit: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK) The Detroit Tigers fired Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez after an...
(Photo credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images) Andy Pages' career-best three home runs and six RBIs carried the visiting Los Angeles...
(Photo credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Detroit Tigers placed three-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber...
(Photo credit: Evan Petzold / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez received a six-game suspension...
(Photo credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images) Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was removed after pitching one inning...
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 6 (ANI): Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan, along with the rest of the batters, helped Sunrisers...
