Flyers Top Penguins 3-2 in Game 1

Philadelphia returns to playoffs with narrow victory over Pittsburgh

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:40am

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The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in Game 1 of their playoff series on Saturday night. Travis Sanheim scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period to lift the Flyers to the narrow victory.

Why it matters

The Flyers' win marks their return to the NHL playoffs after a two-year absence, setting up an intense postseason matchup between the longtime division rivals. The close game showcases the high stakes and competitive nature of this playoff series.

The details

Travis Sanheim scored the go-ahead goal for the Flyers in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and give Philadelphia the victory. The Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Penguins battled back to tie the game before Sanheim's late heroics.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Travis Sanheim

A defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Sidney Crosby

The star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who led his team's comeback effort in the game.

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What they’re saying

“It was a hard-fought game, but we're just happy to get the win and start the series off right.”

— Travis Sanheim, Flyers Defenseman

What’s next

The two teams will face off again in Game 2 on Monday night in Pittsburgh.

The takeaway

The Flyers' narrow victory over their longtime rivals the Penguins in Game 1 sets the stage for an intense and competitive playoff series between these two storied franchises.