Penguins Struggle in Physical Game 1 Loss to Flyers

Malkin says Pittsburgh needs to 'play our game' after missing playoffs for 3 seasons

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of muted blues, grays, and whites, punctuated by flashes of orange and red to represent the intensity of the physical play on the ice.The Penguins' return to the playoffs was marked by a physical battle with the Flyers, as the teams traded blows in a tightly contested Game 1.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins were out of sorts in their return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, falling 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers in a physical Game 1. Captain Sidney Crosby took two penalties, and the Penguins struggled to find their rhythm against the hard-hitting Flyers. Evgeni Malkin scored a goal and had an assist, but the Penguins couldn't overcome early deficits. Goaltender Stuart Skinner made some key saves to keep the Penguins in it, but the team's nerves and turnovers proved costly.

Why it matters

The Penguins are looking to make a deep playoff run after missing the postseason for the past three years. This physical loss to their in-state rival Flyers shows the Penguins may need to adjust their style of play to match the intensity of the playoffs, especially after such a long absence.

The details

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby was called for roughing and slashing penalties, as the Penguins struggled to stay disciplined against the Flyers' physical play. The Penguins had a goal waved off early and were denied on a breakaway, but Drysdale eventually scored to put the Flyers up 1-0. Malkin tied it in the second period, but the Flyers pulled away with goals from Sanheim and Martone in the third. Malkin added an assist on a late Penguins goal, but it wasn't enough.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Crosby's roughing penalty came at 11:16 of the first period.
  • Crosby's slashing penalty came at 18:51 of the third period.
  • Drysdale scored the opening goal for the Flyers at 9:19 of the second period.
  • Malkin scored the tying goal for the Penguins at 15:51 of the second period.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who took two penalties in the physical Game 1 loss.

Evgeni Malkin

The veteran Penguins forward, who scored a goal and had an assist in the loss, but acknowledged the team was 'nervous' in their playoff return.

Stuart Skinner

The Penguins goaltender, who made several key saves to keep the team in the game.

Jamie Drysdale

The Flyers defenseman who scored the opening goal of the game.

Travis Sanheim

The Flyers defenseman who scored a goal in the third period to give Philadelphia a 3-1 lead.

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What they’re saying

“That's going to be part of a series. I think we've got to stay out of it a little bit more and trust that when thedo it and try to start it up, that they're going to get penalized for it. But that's more something I think they're looking to do. We've got to stay out of it and trust they'll be undisciplined.”

— Sidney Crosby, Penguins Captain

“We need to help him, for sure. Again, we give them so many chances. He played really good. But it's a tough loss. The crowd, it's amazing tonight. But it's not over. We need to understand how the playoffs are important, every game is important. Physical game. We just need to be ready and play our game.”

— Evgeni Malkin, Penguins Forward

“I mean, we played good all year long. We know how we play and we just, like, maybe nervous too much or we want (it) too much. We just not thinking a little bit, I think. Everybody wants to play good. I understand. But again, we have a couple bad turnovers.”

— Evgeni Malkin, Penguins Forward

What’s next

Game 2 between the Penguins and Flyers will be played on Monday, April 21, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET. The Penguins will look to even the series and find their game after struggling with the Flyers' physicality in the opener.

The takeaway

The Penguins' return to the playoffs after a three-year absence was marked by uncharacteristic penalties, turnovers, and an inability to match the Flyers' intensity. If Pittsburgh hopes to make a deep postseason run, they'll need to rediscover their disciplined, puck-possession style of play and not get drawn into the physical battles that the Flyers are seeking.