Flyers and Hurricanes face off in first-ever playoff series; Carolina has lots of Philly connections; updates and predictions

Could Owen Tippett be out for Game 1? The Flyers forward, who has been noted as banged up all postseason and has not skated in several practices or morning skates, including Friday’s practice in Voorhees, was on the ice at the Lenovo Center on Saturday morning in the team’s optional skate.

That didn’t hint at anything, as the last time he hit the ice was for the Flyers series clincher against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. But then he stayed out after guys like Noah Cates, Nick Seeler, and Cam York came off. And he was still on after his teammates, Cates and Denver Barkey, spoke to the media.

It would suggest that he will not suit up against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. Plus, it comes less than 24 hours after Rick Tocchet again said Tippett was a game-time decision — and after the bench boss shot down the assumption that Alex Bump was a placeholder for Tippett on the Flyers’ top line with Trevor Zegras and Porter Martone at the Flyers Training Center.

It’s been a while since the Flyers have been relevant this late in the year, and there are a lot of new faces wearing orange and black, so we don’t blame you if you’re still trying to figure out the difference between Alex Bump and Oliver Bonk, or Noah Cates and Noah Juulsen. We also think we might be able to help you get to know the upstart Flyers, especially their off-ice personalities. We compiled a 15-question quiz to help you familiarize yourself with the players, and we'll be sprinkling some in here throughout the day leading up to the game.

Here's our first ...

Which Flyer — and proud cat dad — loves his three cats and even dresses them up for Halloween?

Beginning on Saturday night, the Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes will meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time.

But don’t confuse that anomaly for unfamiliarity, as the Hurricanes have several players, coaches, and front-office personnel with ties to the Flyers and Philadelphia, headlined by general manager Eric Tulsky, head coach Rod Brind’Amour, and players Nic Deslauriers, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Sean Walker.

Though the Hurricanes, opening the series at home as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, are big favorites, the Flyers may be the hottest team in hockey with a 22-9-1 record, including playoffs, since the restart after the Olympic break.

It was a win against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second-to-last game of the regular season that clinched the Flyers’ spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, they’ll look for four more against the ‘Canes in the second round to continue their quest for the Cup.

While the Flyers’ record against Carolina this season is 1-0-3, they kept things even in regulation. All four games were decided in overtime or a shootout, although the Flyers’ lone win did come when the Hurricanes were resting several key players.

One difference heading into this series is that playoff hockey eliminates the shootout. Also, instead of a three-on-three overtime like in the regular season, the traditional five-on-five, 20-minute format stands in overtime in the postseason.

It’s not just the four tight contests this season that represent the familiarity between these two Metropolitan Division teams. The connections run deep.

Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour played for the Flyers from 1991 to 2000 and was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in November of 2015. He and Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet played together for the Flyers during the 1991-92 season, Brind’Amour’s first with the Flyers, and Tocchet’s last of his first seven-year stint. They nearly crossed paths again in 2000, when the Flyers reacquired Tocchet at the trade deadline. However, they had dealt Brind’Amour two months earlier as part of the Keith Primeau trade.

Brind’Amour still holds the franchise record for most consecutive games played with 484, and played 633 games overall for the Flyers before being traded to Carolina.

Tonight's Game 1 between the Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes will air on ABC at 8 p.m, the first time the two franchises have ever faced off in the playoffs.

Calling the game is Mike Monaco alongside analyst Ray Ferraro. Emily Kaplan will report from the Lenovo Center.

ESPN's pregame coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. with The Point, featuring Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, and Arda Öcal.