Overview
- Philadelphia ruled Noah Cates out for the rest of the second round on Wednesday with a lower-body injury from Game 2.
- Cates appeared to get hit on the inside of his right ankle by a K'Andre Miller shot and was later seen with a walking boot after the overtime loss.
- Coach Rick Tocchet said Trevor Zegras will move back to center, with Christian Dvorak, Denver Barkey, and Sean Couturier expected to anchor the middle if Dvorak is cleared.
- The Flyers recalled 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko on Wednesday for insurance, though Tocchet indicated he is unlikely to play unless more injuries occur.
- Dvorak is considered a good possibility for Thursday’s Game 3, Owen Tippett practiced and is a game-time call, and Cates’ absence removes a key penalty killer and matchup center as Philadelphia returns home down 2-0.