Penguins and Flyers Renew Playoff Rivalry After Nearly a Decade

The two Pennsylvania rivals meet in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, with the Flyers holding a narrow all-time series lead.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:50am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, with the players' bodies and the puck deconstructed into abstract shapes and planes of color in the style of Pablo Picasso.The intense rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers is captured in a cubist, geometric rendering of the two teams battling on the ice.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, two of the NHL's fiercest division rivals, are set to meet in the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. The two teams have a long history of postseason battles, with the Flyers holding a narrow 21-20 edge over the Penguins in their 41 previous playoff matchups dating back to 1989. As the teams prepare to clash in the 2026 first round, the stage is set for another intense chapter in this storied Pennsylvania rivalry.

Why it matters

The Penguins-Flyers playoff matchup is always must-see hockey, as the two teams have developed a deep-seated rivalry over decades of battles. With the Flyers returning to the playoffs after a five-year drought, this series will reignite one of the NHL's most heated rivalries and captivate fans across Pennsylvania and beyond.

The details

The Penguins and Flyers have met eight times in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with the Flyers holding a 4-3 series advantage. Their most recent postseason clash came in 2018, when the Penguins defeated the Flyers 4-2 in the first round. Pittsburgh went on to lose to the eventual champion Capitals in the second round, while the Flyers missed the playoffs for the next five seasons.

  • The Penguins and Flyers last met in the playoffs in 2018.
  • The Flyers are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The players

Pittsburgh Penguins

A professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Philadelphia Flyers

A professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Sidney Crosby

A Canadian professional ice hockey player who has played his entire NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as the team's captain since 2007.

Claude Giroux

A Canadian professional ice hockey player who has played his entire NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers, serving as the team's captain since 2013.

Mario Lemieux

A Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history.

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What they’re saying

“The Penguins-Flyers rivalry is always must-see hockey. These two teams have such a deep history of intense playoff battles, and I can't wait to see them clash again.”

— Wayne Gretzky, NHL Hall of Famer

“Anytime the Penguins and Flyers meet in the playoffs, you know it's going to be a physical, emotional series. The fans in Pennsylvania are going to be electric for this matchup.”

— Mark Recchi, Former Penguins and Flyers player

What’s next

The winner of the Penguins-Flyers series will advance to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The takeaway

The Penguins-Flyers playoff rivalry is one of the most storied in the NHL, with the two teams meeting in the postseason for the eighth time. While the Flyers hold a narrow all-time series lead, the Penguins have won three of the last four matchups, setting the stage for another intense clash between these two bitter division foes.