Ducks Knot Series 1-1 as Flyers Drop Cates for Run

Sport

By lines

May 7, 2026

Lines Ducks Knot Series 1 1 Flyers Drop Cates

The NHL playoffs 2026 second round produced two defining results on Wednesday. Lukas Dostal stopped 21 shots as the Anaheim Ducks downed the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1. The result levels the Western Conference second-round series at one game apiece. Across the bracket, the Philadelphia Flyers lost center Noah Cates for the remainder of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ducks Defense Shuts Down Vegas; Cates Out in Philadelphia

Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins each scored for the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena. Mark Stone scored the lone Vegas Golden Knights goal in the 3-1 defeat. Carter Hart made 25 saves for the Vegas Golden Knights as the Anaheim Ducks tilted the series in their favor.

The Philadelphia Flyers lost center Noah Cates for the rest of their Hurricanes series with a lower-body injury. Noah Cates, 27, blocked a K’Andre Miller shot in Game 1 before leaving the ice. Noah Cates posted 18 goals and 47 points in the regular season as the Flyers’ primary two-way forward.

The Carolina Hurricanes hold a 2-0 series lead as Game 3 tips off Thursday night in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella will lean on Christian Dvorak, Trevor Zegras and Sean Couturier at center. The Flyers recalled 19-year-old Jett Luchanko from the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs to add depth.

The Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights head to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 tied at one apiece. The Western bracket narrows with a legitimate upset bid from a young Ducks squad built around Lukas Dostal. Both series resume Thursday with back-to-back NHL playoffs 2026 second-round action.