Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Philadelphia Flyers News

Vladar will start Game 3 against the Hurricanes.

Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.

Dan Vladar
Tippett (undisclosed) will not play in Game 3 vs. Carolina.

The Flyers, trailing their series to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0, are desperate for a win in Game Three, but will unfortunately be without Tippett for a third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Tippett remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return being in Game Four on Saturday.

Owen Tippett
Vladar is expected to start Game 3 vs. the Hurricanes.

Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.

Dan Vladar
Cates (lower-body) will miss the remainder of Philadelphia’s second round series.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the second round. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates
Cates is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and could be at risk of missing Game Three. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates
Vladar will start Game 2 in Carolina on Monday.

Vladar was tremendous in the Flyers' opening round matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, including a 42-save shutout in Game Six in a series-clinching 1-0 win. That said, the 28-year-old Czech goal was unspectacular in Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in a 3-0 loss, largely a byproduct of a poor team performance by the Flyers. Philadelphia enters Game Two as a significant +226 road underdog.

Dan Vladar
Grundstrom will make his Flyers' playoff debut for Game 1 in Carolina.

After a one-sided 3-0 loss in their series-opening game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flyers will switch things up and insert Grundstrom into the lineup. The 28-year-old Swedish forward has yet to play this postseason. He averaged 11:51 time-on-ice and had 13 points (9G / 4A) in 47 games this season.

Carl Grundstrom
Tippett is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and will not play in Game 1 in Carolina.

Tippett will miss Game 1 in Carolina, but is considered day-to-day, so he should be back in the series. Tippett, who produced two points (1G / 1A) in six games in Round 1, will be replaced by Garnet Hathaway in the lineup, but Alex Bump will earn the promotion to the top line.

Owen Tippett
Tippett (undisclosed) is doubtful to play in Game 1 in Carolina.

Tippett missed Friday's practice, with what was presumed to be maintenance, but suddenly his status for Game 1 has come into question. Alex Bump is expected to take his spot on the top line and Garnet Hathaway is expected to replace him in the lineup if Tippett is unable to play in Game 1.

Owen Tippett
Vladar will start Game 1 in Carolina.

Vladar stopped all 42 shots that he faced in the Flyers' shutout win over the Penguins in Game 6. It capped what was a fantastic series for Vladar, who went 4-2-0 with a 1.61 GAA, .937 SV% and two shutouts. Now he draws a very difficult matchup in Round 2, but he went 1-0-1 with a 1.86 GAA and .931 SV% in two games vs. Carolina this season.

Dan Vladar
Vladar will start Game 6 against the Penguins.

After jumping out to a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Flyers have lost two straight and will hope to close out the series at home in Game Six. Vladar has been serviceable in his two losses, allowing three goals in each game while posting a .857 SV%. The 28-year-old Czech goalie, in his first postseason as a starter, has a 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in five games (3-2). The Flyers enter Game Six as -120 home favourites.

Dan Vladar
Michkov is expected to draw back into Philadelpha's lineup for Game 6 vs. Pittsburgh.

Michkov played all but one game this season, scoring 51 points (20G / 31A) in 81 games, but was surprisingly a healthy scratch earlier this week in Game Five. The 21-year-old Michkov has struggled through his first postseason, averaging 10:06 time-on-ice, recording zero points, a -1 plus/minus, and six penalty minutes. Garnet Hathaway will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Michkov's return.

Matvei Michkov
Vladar was the first goalie off the ice ahead of Game 6.

After jumping out to a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Flyers have lost two straight and will hope to close out the series at home in Game Six. Vladar has been serviceable in his two losses, allowing three goals in each game while posting a .857 SV%. The 28-year-old Czech goalie, in his first postseason as a starter, has a 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in five games (3-2). The Flyers enter Game Six as -120 home favourites.

Dan Vladar