After missing Game 1 due to injury, Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett is not going to be in the lineup for Game 2 Monday night against the host Carolina Hurricanes. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet made the news official during a pre-game presser, stating Tippett might be available for Game 3 on Thursday, but it would be a game-time decision.
Rick Tocchet confirms Owen Tippett is out again in Game 2. Says he's a "possibility" for Game 3. Will be a game-time decision.
— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) May 4, 2026
News of Tippett’s absence for Game 2 isn’t surprising, but it is disappointing. With one of the Flyers’ biggest (and fastest) offensive weapons out of the lineup, it leaves Philadelphia with one less speedy contributor who can break apart from the pack. Even against a team loaded with speed in Carolina. There’s no word if the Flyers will go with the same 12 forwards they used in their Game 1 loss, however there was speculation that winger Carl Grundstrom could be dressed for Game 2. If Grundstrom was called on, it would be his first playoff game in this current run for Philadelphia. He played 17 playoff games for Los Angeles over three different seasons scoring three times and adding two assists for five points. The winger’s last game for the Flyers was the regular season finale against Montreal.
With Grundstrom possibly coming in, then obviously somebody is coming out. The most likely candidates would be either Garnet Hathaway or Luke Glendening. Both are serviceable fourth-liners but Glendening provides a bit more given his faceoff effectiveness.
With Tippett out for the first two games against Carolina, there’s a chance he could be in for Game 3. If that was the case it would be just over a week since Tippett’s last game, the 1-0 Game 6 thriller against Pittsburgh in round one. He has a goal and an assist thus far and is averaging 17:13 of ice time. Should the Flyers leave Carolina with a split in the series, Tippett’s return would certainly provide a bit of a boost for Game 3 as the series shifts back to Philadelphia.
Sanheim, Dvorak both in
The only good news was no news, namely that defenseman Travis Sanheim and center Christian Dvorak are good to go for Game 2. Both took some hard hits into the boards in Game 2. Dvorak received a thunderous check from Taylor Hall and was not feeling the best afterwards. So he might be a bit banged up but will be dressed. Ditto for Travis Sanheim. Sanheim made a rush up ice in the second period but was checked and fell somewhat awkwardly into the boards. He got up a bit gingerly but remained in the game. Losing Sanheim for any length of time would be a disaster for the Flyers, so at least they still have him.
Finally, Dan Vladar gets the nod in goal, with the Flyers making that announcement on this Star Wars-inspired date on the calendar.
He's more machine now than man. 🦾
— x – Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 4, 2026
Darth Vladar gets the start on May the 4th. pic.twitter.com/zYQ4psP9YY
