After two games in the series, the Flyers find themselves staring down an 0-2 hole with the series shifting to Philadelphia. They had a chance to even things up in Game 2, but couldn’t hold the 2-0 lead, ultimately losing in overtime.
While they are now faced with a must win Game 3, they will have to do it without one of their biggest defensive pieces. Noah Cates, who did finish the game, will not be unavailable for the rest of the series after suffering a lower-body injury. On first glance, there was some uncertainty of when Cates sustained the injury.
After some digging from Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the injury appeared to have happened midway through the first period. Meaning that, if this was the moment, he played the majority of the game after suffering it.
Moment of the Cates injury that has knocked him out for the series: https://t.co/kX18at7PqH pic.twitter.com/PEm6cu0zrh
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) May 6, 2026
The shot off the ankle from Miller is innocent enough, but Cates was noticeably hobbled until he was able to get off the ice. Finishing the game isn’t shocking when you think about the fact that Cates likely didn’t take his skate off until the end. So if there was any swelling afterward, it wouldn’t have taken place until there.
There had already been speculation before the news, as Cates had been spotted after the game riding on the back of the trainer’s cart and holding a walking boot that appeared to be for his right foot.
Flyers will need to make adjustments after Cates’ injury
It’s another blow to a Flyers’ team has already been without Owen Tippett. He has missed the first two games of the series and there isn’t a guarantee he can return for the next game. His absence has been felt and the same will be certain for Cates.
Cates has risen in the league as a strong two-way forward and should have some Selke votes tossed his way when the results are released later in the offseason. He posted career-highs offensively with 18 goals and 47 points, placing top-five on the team in goals and assists. He also appeared in all 82 games this season, the only Flyer to achieve that feat. In the postseason, his four points are tied for second on the team.
With his injury, the Flyers will have to make quite a few adjustments to their lineup. While the lines aren’t known at this time, we do know who the four Flyers’ centers will be. Christian Dvorak, who is currently listed as day-to-day, is expected to be available. Trevor Zegras, who was moved back to wing at the beginning of the series, will shift back to center. Denver Barkey, who was recently moved to center and has garnered the attention of Rick Tocchet, will continue to man the middle. And Sean Couturier, who has easily been the team’s best player in the playoffs, will sure up the bottom line.
But the Flyers will need to find a way to replace Cates on the special teams as well. Cates is fifth amongst forwards in time on ice on the power play and third on the penalty kill. While the power play has struggled mightily since the beginning of time, Cates has strong possession numbers and his line has been on the ice for all three of the team’s power play goals in the playoffs. One of which was a goal he scored against Pittsburgh.
It’s a major blow to a lineup that was already thin at center coming in. Couturier and Dvorak are the veterans of the group and should get the majority of the work. Zegras wasn’t a regular center until after the trade deadline and Barkey is extremely new to the position at this level. As the Flyers have said, it’s a next man up mentality.
They’ll need that now more than ever as they try to climb their way back into the series against the Hurricanes.
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