Metro Notes: Cates, Tippett, Nikishin

Philadelphia Flyers center Noah Cates‘ availability for game three against the Carolina Hurricanes appears to be in question after he appeared to suffer a foot injury in game two. Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Cates was seen after game two “trundled on a cart down a hallway” and “holding a walking boot that would have fit his right foot.” The Flyers did not have an official update on Cates’ status.

If Cates is indeed unavailable for the Flyers’ next game, which is on Thursday, it would represent a significant blow to the team’s hopes of getting back on their feet in their second-round series. The Flyers put up a valiant effort against Carolina yesterday but fell in overtime, and risk being pushed to the brink of elimination with a loss Thursday. Cates, 27, isn’t a star in Philadelphia but he still plays a key role in head coach Rick Tocchet’s lineup. He last slotted in as the No. 2 center between Tyson Foerster and Matvei Michkov, and he plays on both sides of special teams. He has four points in eight playoff games, and scored a career-high 18 goals and 47 points in the regular season.

Other notes from the Metropolitan Division:

• Flyers winger Owen Tippett didn’t play in game two as he remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury. His status is considered day-to-day, so it will be important to track his availability for game three given the importance of the game to the Flyers’ hopes to win the series. The speedy 27-year-old tied a career-high with 28 goals in the regular season and neared his career-high with 51 points.
• Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has officially been cleared to return after missing two games with a concussion. Nikishin was previously paired with veteran Shayne Gostisbehere, a role that has since gone to veteran Mike Reilly. Nikishin scored 11 goals and 33 points in a strong first regular season in the NHL, averaging 18:11 time on ice per game along the way.