Penguins and Flyers Renew Rivalry in NHL Playoffs

Crosby and Malkin lead Penguins against Konecny and Zegras' Flyers in first-round series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, 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 color and form.The iconic rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers is set to be deconstructed in a cubist masterpiece as the two teams clash in the 2026 NHL playoffs.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will meet in the first round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, reigniting one of the league's fiercest rivalries. The Penguins, led by stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, are looking to make a deep playoff run after clinching a postseason berth. The Flyers, featuring forwards Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras, are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and hope to carry momentum from their strong finish to the regular season into the series.

Why it matters

The Penguins-Flyers rivalry is one of the most intense in the NHL, with the two Pennsylvania teams having met in the playoffs numerous times over the years. This first-round matchup will be the latest chapter in the storied history between the franchises, and the outcome could have major implications on the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The details

The Penguins ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak but were resting key players down the stretch after clinching a playoff spot. The Flyers, meanwhile, won six of their last seven games to secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2020. Both teams will be looking to establish momentum early in the series, with the Penguins' veteran core of Crosby, Malkin, and others facing off against the Flyers' rising stars in Konecny and Zegras.

  • The Penguins and Flyers will meet in Game 1 of their first-round series on April 19, 2026.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The veteran captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Famer.

Evgeni Malkin

A star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the most dominant two-way players in the NHL.

Travis Konecny

A skilled forward for the Philadelphia Flyers who has emerged as one of the team's top offensive threats.

Trevor Zegras

A rising young star for the Philadelphia Flyers, known for his creativity and playmaking ability.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're excited to get this series started against our rivals. It's always a battle when we play the Flyers, and we know we'll have to bring our best to advance.”

— Sidney Crosby, Captain, Pittsburgh Penguins

“This is a huge opportunity for our team to make a statement. We've been working hard all season to get back to the playoffs, and we're ready to show what we can do against a great team like the Penguins.”

— Travis Konecny, Forward, Philadelphia Flyers

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Penguins and Flyers promises to be a hard-fought, high-intensity series between two of the NHL's fiercest rivals. The veteran leadership of Crosby and Malkin will be tested against the rising young talent of Konecny and Zegras, making for must-watch playoff hockey.