Penguins and Flyers Renew Storied Rivalry in NHL Playoffs

The longtime foes meet in the opening round, with the Penguins looking to extend their postseason dominance over the Flyers.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

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 planes of vibrant colors representing the teams' uniforms.The storied rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers is renewed in the NHL playoffs, with both teams desperate to advance and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will face off in the opening round of the NHL playoffs, renewing their longstanding cross-state rivalry. The Penguins, led by veteran captain Sidney Crosby, have had the upper hand in recent playoff meetings, winning three of four series against the Flyers. However, the Flyers are hoping to turn the tide this time around, with first-year coach Rick Tocchet vowing to 'get after' Crosby and the Penguins' stars.

Why it matters

The Penguins-Flyers rivalry is one of the most intense in the NHL, with the two teams separated by just 300 miles but worlds apart in terms of postseason success. The Penguins have won three Stanley Cups during Crosby's tenure, while the Flyers are still seeking their first championship since 1975. This series will add another chapter to the storied feud between the two franchises.

The details

The Penguins and Flyers will meet in the playoffs for the eighth time, with Pittsburgh holding a 4-3 edge in the previous seven series. Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang remain the core of the Penguins, while the Flyers are led by a mix of veteran and young talent, including defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who will be making his first career postseason appearance. Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse has rotated between goalies Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, and it remains to be seen which one will start Game 1.

  • The Penguins and Flyers will open their first-round series on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Rasmus Ristolainen will be making his first career postseason appearance in this series.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The 38-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins captain and future Hall of Famer, who has won three Stanley Cups with the team.

Rick Tocchet

The Philadelphia Flyers head coach, who was an assistant with the Penguins when they won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Rasmus Ristolainen

The Flyers defenseman, who will be making his first career postseason appearance in this series after a 13-year, 820-game NHL career.

Dan Muse

The first-year Pittsburgh Penguins head coach, who has rotated between goalies Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs throughout the season.

Sean Couturier

The Flyers forward, who is the only player remaining on the team from the last time they defeated the Penguins in a home playoff series in 2012.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have a ton of respect for Sid. He's an unbelievable person and player. But we've got to get him in the ditches right? We've got to make it hard on him.”

— Rick Tocchet, Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach

“We're looking at all factors. As I've said multiple times, I think both guys have been great for us. Both guys are a big part of why we're here today preparing for Game 1.”

— Dan Muse, Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach

“We were for a lot of years kind of in the middle, competing hard. We had some good teams. Just always missing a little something to get to the next step. I think it was maybe time to take a step back and rebuild. I'm just glad with how everything's gone, honestly.”

— Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers Forward

What’s next

The winner of the Penguins-Flyers series will advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs, where they will face the victor of the other first-round matchup in their division.

The takeaway

This Penguins-Flyers playoff series is a renewal of one of the NHL's most intense rivalries, with the veteran-laden Penguins looking to extend their recent dominance over the rebuilding Flyers. The series promises to be physical and hard-fought, with both teams desperate to advance and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.