Penguins and Flyers to Face Off in NHL Playoffs

Longtime rivals set for first-round Stanley Cup matchup

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The historic rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers will be on full display as the two teams meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will meet in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, renewing their long-standing rivalry in the NHL postseason.

Why it matters

The Penguins and Flyers are two of the NHL's most historic franchises, with a heated rivalry dating back decades. Their playoff matchups are always highly anticipated events, drawing intense interest from fans in both cities.

The details

With a win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, the Flyers locked in third place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division, setting up a first-round series against the second-place Penguins. The teams have met seven times in the playoffs, with the Flyers holding a 21-20 edge and winning four of the seven series. The Penguins and Flyers last faced off in the playoffs in 2018, when the Penguins won 4-2.

  • The NHL has not released its full 2026 playoff schedule yet.

The players

Pittsburgh Penguins

One of the NHL's most successful franchises, the Penguins have won 5 Stanley Cup championships and are perennial playoff contenders.

Philadelphia Flyers

A longtime rival of the Penguins, the Flyers are one of the NHL's original six expansion teams and have won 2 Stanley Cup titles.

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The takeaway

The Penguins-Flyers playoff matchup is a highly anticipated event, as the two teams have built up an intense rivalry over decades of competition. Fans in both cities are eagerly awaiting the start of the series, which is sure to provide high-intensity, hard-hitting hockey.