Sports

Flyers Announce Unfortunate Noah Cates News Before Game 3 vs. Hurricanes

The Philadelphia Flyers came into the 2025/26 regular season expecting to take a step forward, but after finishing the season third in the Metropolitan Division, they exceeded all expectations. That led them to a matchup with the fierce rival Pittsburgh Penguins in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and in six games, they dealt with their rivals, leading to a battle with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Right now, the team are in an 0-2 hole after Game 1 & 2 in Carolina, and unfortunately, things aren't going to get much easier as the series shifts back to Philadelphia with the team looking to stay alive.

 Philadelphia Flyers left wing Noah Cates (27) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Noah Cates (27) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Ahead of Game 3 against the 'Canes, the Flyers have taken to social media to announce some unfortunate news, revealing that young forward Noah Cates will miss the remainder of the series with a lower-body injury.

This is a major blow for Philadelphia, as Cates has become critical to their top-six, producing very well through his first eight career Stanley Cup Playoffs games. In that time, he has tallied 1 goal and 4 points, and while he has a -2 differential, that isn't reflective of how effective he's been through eight games.

Fortunately for the Flyers, this is a team that's full of depth, with Denver Barkey, Porter Martone, Sean Couturier and others in position to step up and fill the void left by the 27-year old.

Whether the Flyers were ready to come back in this series or not before the injury, it's very unclear, but now, a tough task has simply gotten even tougher as one of Philadelphia's best forwards will now be out, hoping his team can get through to the Eastern Conference Finals without him.

Related: Penguins Make Goalie Decision Before Flyers Game

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 12:56 PM.

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