Flyers' Tippett, Hurricanes' Nikishin out for opener of 2nd-round series
Philadelphia Flyers' Owen Tippett (74) and Luke Glendening (41) celebrate after the Flyers won Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Slocum
RALEIGH, N.C. — Philadelphia forward Owen Tippett sat out the Flyers’ 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night in Game 1 of the second-round playoff series.
The Flyers ruled out their regular-season goals leader about a half-hour before the start of the game due to an undisclosed injury.
Philadelphia struggled to generate much offense or sustain pressure on Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen, managing just nine shots on goal through two periods and being outshot 3-2 on its four power-play chances.
Tippett had 28 goals and 23 assists in the regular season, then had one goal and one assist in the six-game series against Pittsburgh that marked Philadelphia’s first postseason appearance since 2020.
The Flyers said Tippett is considered day to day.
The Hurricanes took the ice a week after closing out a sweep of Ottawa. But defenseman Alexander Nikishin was out of the lineup Saturday as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered on a jarring hit by Tyler Kleven in Game 4. Nikishin had returned to skating in a yellow no-contact jersey by Wednesday, then shed that practice Friday.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour said Saturday morning that Nikishin needed to complete another test as he works to clear the concussion protocol. Veteran Mike Reilly drew in for Nikishin, and had the primary assist on Logan Stankoven’s series-opening goal and the secondary assist on Jackson Blake’s score that gave Carolina a 2-0 first-period lead..
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (21) is helped off the ice by teammates Seth Jarvis (24) and Shayne Gostisbehere (4) after being checked by Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven during the second period of Game 4 in a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Credit: AP/Sean Kilpatrick
Carolina forward Nikolaj Ehlers was back after a lower-body injury made him a late scratch for Game 4.
