Penguins vs. Flyers scores, live updates and highlights from Game 1 of the NHL playoff series originally appeared on Pittsburgh Sports Network. Click here to add SportsNet Pittsburgh as your preferred source.
The Battle of Pennsylvania will take center stage in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs, reigniting one of the most heated rivalries in professional sports. The latest series will be the eighth playoff meeting between the Penguins and Flyers, with Philadelphia holding a slim 4-3 lead.
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For Pittsburgh’s veteran core, led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson, this return to the playoffs is the perfect opportunity to prove that the Pens’ championship window is still open. Led by first-year head coach Dan Muse, the Penguins have an elite offense that averaged 3.54 goals per game during the regular season.
The Flyers enter this matchup having ended a playoff drought under first-year head coach Rick Tocchet. Philadelphia’s offense is led by Travis Konecny ​​and Trevor Zegras, both of whom have surpassed the 65-point mark this season, leading the team’s offensive resurgence.
Now, both teams are looking to get a statement win at PPG Paints Arena to begin their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Stay tuned here for live updates, highlights and analysis from Game 1 between the Penguins and Flyers.
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Penguins vs. Flyers score
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Penguins vs. Flyers live updates, highlights from Game 1
2 flyers and 1 penguin
10:33 PM Goal: Travis Sanheim was one of three players left on the roster from the last playoff meeting between these two Philadelphia teams, and now he breaks the deadlock.
The Flyers’ minutes leader worked his way from right to left, fooling several defenders before ripping the ball away from Skinner. That gave the Flyers their second lead of the night.
The goal came at exactly 10:00; the Flyers struck first in the third period and we still had half time left.
10:32pm: The Flyers had some breakout-like performances in this game, but Skinner saved every game. Now, Denver Buckey walks in, but Skinner pushes it away.
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10:26pm: The Penguins beat the Flyers again and we were back tied with 14:00 left in the game.
Both teams started very conservatively, unlike the fast-paced game at the beginning of the second quarter. Expect every loose puck to be contested, every shot to be tougher, and every shot to elicit gasps from the crowd.
It’s a hockey playoff game, the Battle of Pennsylvania, tied in the third inning. Such is life as a hockey fan.
10:22pm: Now, the Flyers are back in the power play.
It’s Mantha again, entering the box for the second time tonight and taking a sticky penalty.
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So far, Philadelphia is 2-0 on the man advantage.
10:21pm: Elmer Söderblom had a great opportunity, stepping in front of Vladar from the right side of the ice; he got a shot and the Flyers goalie made the save and stretched to block the rebound.
10:17pm: The third quarter began in Pittsburgh, with the Penguins and Flyers tied at 1-1.
Philadelphia started the quarter with a power play and came within a minute of taking the lead.
End of the second quarter: Flyers 1, Penguins 1
9:59pm: We’re going into the third quarter and the game is tied.
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Both teams scored in the second quarter, first by Drysdale of the Flyers, followed by Malkin at the other end. Now, the two teams enter the final quarter with a score of 1-1.
So far, the Battle of Pennsylvania has delivered on its promise. Let’s see who has the upper hand in the third quarter of Game 1.
9:55pm: Since the Flyers’ goal, the Penguins have been the better team in the stretch, controlling time in the paint and getting more shots on goal.
With 1:12 left in the game, Anthony Mantha received a penalty and walked to the penalty area for a cross-check. This will be the second time tonight that Philadelphia is locked in a power play.
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1 flyer, 1 penguin
9:49 PM Goal: Pittsburgh tied the game and the Penguins’ first playoff goal since 2022 came from three-time Stanley Cup champion Evgeni Malkin.
After a stretch of zone time, Malkin came off the boards and slid a shot past Vladar’s pads from the right circle. The game was back to a tie, and the Penguins were in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
9:46 pm,: The Penguins were unable to score on the power play and the game remained 1-0. As the first quarter clock neared six minutes, Philadelphia still led 1-0.
Pittsburgh had a better possession rate at 60%, but didn’t score to prove it.
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9:38 pm: The Penguins will have a chance to up their game on the power play.
Travis Sanheim headed to the end zone after knocking off Crosby in front of Vladar. That gave Pittsburgh — which had only nine shots on goal in the game — a prime opportunity.
Flyers 1, Penguins 0
9:35 PM Goal: The road team Flyers are the first team on the board.
It was Drysdale, who ripped his wrist from the right circle and past Skinner, who looked out of sight in the game. It was his first career playoff goal.
With it, the Flyers took their first lead of the series.
9:34pm: The tempo of the game picked up, with teams going head-to-head and taking shots.
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Now, Owen Tippett’s wrist was saved by Skinner.
9:29pm: With 13 minutes and 48 seconds left in the midfield, the score was still 0-0.
Pittsburgh has had more zone time this season, but some giveaways have given Philadelphia the better chance so far this season. So far, though, Skinner has passed all the tests.
9:24pm: The Flyers got their second real chance, a two-on-one opportunity saved by Skinner after Pittsburgh lost the puck at the blue line.
9:20pm: Phase 2 is underway in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins and Flyers traded chances in the first quarter, but both failed to light up the lights. Expect physicality to improve during this time as both teams have settled down.
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End of the first quarter: Flyers 0, Penguins 0
9:02 pm: At the end of one game, we were scoreless in Pittsburgh.
The Flyers defeated the Penguins, but Skinner remained standing. Vladar, on the other hand, made every save he had to make. Let’s see which team can break the deadlock in the second quarter.
8:55pm: With less than four minutes left on the clock, the Penguins had some sustained zone time but were unable to make a field goal. They only had five during this period.
Both teams came out strong in the first inning, with both Vladar and Skinner making saves.
8:46pm: The two teams will play a 4-on-4 game, and Crosby received a roughing penalty in the penalty area and Flyers guard Jamie Drysdale was ejected for not receiving his helmet.
8:44 pm: Midway through the first period, the game remained scoreless at PPG Paints Arena.
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Philadelphia currently holds a 6-3 shooting advantage, and both teams have entered the state.
8:40pm: It looked like the Flyers might have scored, but Christian Dvorak put the puck in the net. However, he fell on top of Skinner, who was being trained.
The Penguins goalie came back and the score was 0-0.
8:35pm: Now, Philadelphia will enter the power play.
After Tyson Foster grabbed the puck and allowed Skinner to save his backhand shot, the buzzer sounded and Chris Letang went to the penalty area to interfere.
8:31pm: Yegor Chinakov hit two shots on goal on the power play, but the game remained 0-0. Philadelphia then fought back with all their might, but was blocked by Stuart Skinner.
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8:28pm: Less than two minutes in and we already had some physicality. Philadelphia’s Rasmus Ristolainen was called for interference, giving the Penguins a chance to make an early power play.
8:25pm: The puck dropped and the Battle of Pennsylvania began.
here. us. go.
8:22pm: Due to the length of the Stars vs. Wild game, puck drop has been delayed but should arrive in the next few minutes.
The Battle of Pennsylvania would have to wait a while longer.
8:10pm: Penguins fans, it’s time.
7:59pm: The puck drop site is just minutes away.
The Penguins and Flyers meet in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, when Pittsburgh won in six games. This time, the stakes are just as high.
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Let’s see how the first game unfolds.
7:55pm: Here are Pittsburgh’s lines from Game 1.
7:44pm: Penguins fans are watching the first playoff game since 2022 at PPG Paints Arena.
7:36pm: The Penguins and Flyers have two wins each in the four-game regular season series, although Pittsburgh has scored points in each game. The Flyers had two shootout wins, 3-2 in October and 4-3 in March, while the Penguins had more decisive regular-season wins at 5-1 and 6-3 midway through the season.
Both teams are tied with 98 points in the Metropolitan Division this year, setting the perfect foundation for a first-round playoff showdown that begins tonight.
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7:26pm: Get ready for the Battle of Pennsylvania.
7:17pm: The Penguins’ goaltender for Game 1 is Stuart Skinner, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in December.
Skinner brings playoff experience, having played in the past two Stanley Cup Finals. The goaltender has a 26-22-0 record in 50 career games, with a 2.88 goals against average and 0.893 save percentage in the playoffs.
7:07pm: With Pittsburgh back in the playoff hunt, all eyes are of course on No. 87 Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins captain has won three Stanley Cups and hopes to win one more later in his career. His statistics against cross-state opponents approach video game categories.
7:00 p.m.: The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022 against a perfect opener from Dan Muse and company.
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Tonight we get Game 1 of the Battle of Pennsylvania as the Philadelphia Flyers take to PPG Paints Arena; Philadelphia is also coming off a playoff drought under first-year head coach Rick Tocchet.
Stay tuned throughout the night for live updates and highlights as the playoffs begin in Pittsburgh.
How to watch Penguins vs. Flyers game 1: TV channels, live broadcast
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TV channel: pittsburgh sports network
The Penguins vs. Flyers game will air locally on Pittsburgh Sports Network. Game 1 will also be broadcast live on SNP 360 and fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial to new subscribers, so you can try out the service before buying. Watch ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and more than 100 of the top live TV and sports channels without cable. (Participating programs only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
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Penguins vs. Flyers Game 1 Start Time
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date: Saturday, April 18
The Penguins-Flyers game is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Game 1 will be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Penguins vs. Flyers schedule
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date |
game |
Time (Eastern Time) |
TV/live broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
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April 18 |
Game 1: Flyers vs. Penguins |
8pm |
SNP, SNP 360, Fubo |
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April 20 |
Game 2: Flyers vs. Penguins |
7pm |
SNP, SNP 360, Fubo |
|
April 22 |
Game 3: Penguins vs. Flyers |
7pm |
SNP, SNP 360, Fubo |
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April 25 |
Game 4: Penguins vs. Flyers |
8pm |
SNP, SNP 360, Fubo |
|
April 27 |
Game 5*: Flyers vs. Penguins |
To be determined |
To be determined |
|
April 29 |
Game 6*: Penguins vs. Flyers |
To be determined |
To be determined |
|
May 2 |
Game 7*: Flyers vs. Penguins |
To be determined |
To be determined |
*If necessary
NHL playoff schedule, key dates in 2026
Here are the key dates to know about the NHL playoffs:
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event |
Dates |
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The first round begins |
April 18 |
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The second round begins |
May 2* |
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The finals of the conference begin |
May 17* |
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Stanley Cup Finals Begin |
June 3* |
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Possible final day for Game 7 |
June 21 |
*Can be upgraded based on earlier series
