Penguins Favored Over Flyers in 2026 NHL Playoff Clash

Cross-state rivals meet in first-round series with Pittsburgh holding home-ice advantage

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:26am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors.The intense rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers is captured in a dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration ahead of their first-round playoff clash.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins are favored over the Philadelphia Flyers in the opening odds for their first-round matchup in the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Penguins, led by veteran stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, are listed as -170 favorites to win the best-of-seven series, while the young Flyers squad is a +140 underdog. Despite the teams being separated by just two points in the standings, Pittsburgh's home-ice advantage and overall roster depth give them the edge heading into the highly anticipated intra-division playoff clash.

Why it matters

This playoff series between the Penguins and Flyers is a classic postseason rivalry, pitting two of the NHL's most storied franchises against each other. The matchup features a clash of styles, with Pittsburgh's high-powered offense led by future Hall of Famers Crosby and Malkin going up against the Flyers' stifling defensive play. The series could also mark the potential final playoff run for the Penguins' legendary core, adding extra drama and intrigue.

The details

The Penguins finished the regular season as the third-highest scoring team in the NHL, thanks in large part to the continued excellence of Crosby and Malkin. The duo combined for over 150 points, with support from wingers like Bryan Rust and Anthony Mantha. While Pittsburgh's defense has been a weakness at times, their offensive firepower makes them a formidable opponent. The Flyers, on the other hand, have built their success around a top-10 defense and a balanced scoring attack, with no player reaching the 70-point mark. Led by captain Sean Couturier, Philadelphia's young core will look to pull off the upset against their cross-state rivals.

  • The Flyers clinched their playoff berth with a shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes on April 12, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the Penguins-Flyers first-round series will take place after the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.

The players

Sidney Crosby

A future Hall of Famer and the longtime captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby is once again leading his team's offensive charge and could be playing in his final NHL postseason.

Evgeni Malkin

The other half of the Penguins' legendary duo, Malkin has been Crosby's longtime running mate and is also nearing the end of his illustrious career.

Sean Couturier

The captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, Couturier is the veteran leader of a young, defensive-minded team looking to pull off an upset against their cross-state rivals.

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What they’re saying

“You've got to love intra-division Stanley Cup Playoff matchups.”

— Charlie Cummings, Author

“This young Flyers team plays quite a different style. A top-10 defense, not a single Flyers player has crossed the 70-point threshold yet. Amazingly, 12 of the top 13 scorers on this Flyers team are under 30, with captain Sean Couturier as the resident old man. For such a young team, this discipline and commitment to checking is admirable. And it sure makes for a fun stylistic clash.”

— Charlie Cummings, Author

What’s next

The opening lines and the puck will drop for Game 1 of the Penguins-Flyers series after the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.

The takeaway

This first-round playoff matchup between the Penguins and Flyers promises to be a hard-fought, physical series that pits Pittsburgh's offensive firepower against Philadelphia's stifling defense. The potential swan song for Crosby and Malkin adds extra drama, while the young Flyers squad looks to pull off the upset and advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.