Penguins vs Flyers The Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers matchup is one of the NHL’s best-known rivalries. The teams are both based in Pennsylvania, which is why their rivalry is commonly called the “Battle of Pennsylvania.” They first met in the NHL in 1967, and the rivalry has included many important regular-season and playoff games.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are an NHL team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their most recognizable modern-era players include Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. The Penguins entered the 2026-27 season after making the playoffs in 2025-26.
For the 2026-27 season, Pittsburgh opened its campaign on the road against Philadelphia. The Penguins’ regular-season schedule also includes later meetings with the Flyers on January 31 and April 3.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are also members of the NHL’s Metropolitan Division and have a long history with Pittsburgh.
The Flyers entered the 2026-27 season under head coach Rick Tocchet. Their offseason roster changes included goaltender Joseph Woll, defenseman Simon Benoit, and former Penguin Noel Acciari.
Why Penguins vs Flyers Is a Big Rivalry
The rivalry is especially notable because both teams represent Pennsylvania’s two major NHL markets. Games between them have traditionally featured intense competition, physical play, passionate supporters, and important divisional implications.
The rivalry has also produced several playoff series. Before 2026, the teams had met seven times in the postseason. Their 2026 series became the eighth playoff meeting between the clubs.
Penguins vs Flyers in the 2025-26 Regular Season
The teams played four regular-season games during 2025-26:
| Date | Result |
| Oct. 28, 2025 | Flyers 3, Penguins 2 — shootout |
| Dec. 1, 2025 | Penguins 5, Flyers 1 |
| Jan. 15, 2026 | Penguins 6, Flyers 3 |
| Mar. 7, 2026 | Flyers 4, Penguins 3 — shootout |
Pittsburgh finished the regular-season series with a 2-0-2 record, while Philadelphia went 2-2-0.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The rivalry became even more important in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Flyers and Penguins met in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Philadelphia entered the series with a 43-27-12 record and 98 points, while Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 with 98 points.
The Flyers eventually won the series 4-2. Game 6 ended in overtime, with Philadelphia eliminating Pittsburgh from the playoffs.
2026-27 Season Opener
The rivalry continued immediately in the new season.
The Penguins visited Philadelphia on September 30, 2026, for the opening game of the 2026-27 regular season. The game was played at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Pittsburgh won the season opener 7-0. Nick Robertson scored twice, while Arturs Silovs stopped all 19 Philadelphia shots for a shutout. Filip Hallander recorded a goal and two assists, and 14 different Penguins players recorded at least one point.
The result was particularly notable because Philadelphia had eliminated Pittsburgh in six games only a few months earlier during the 2026 playoffs.
Key Players
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is the longtime Pittsburgh captain and one of the central figures in the Penguins-Flyers rivalry. He remains an important part of Pittsburgh’s veteran core entering the 2026-27 season.
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin is another longtime Penguins star. During the 2026 season opener against Philadelphia, he scored his 534th career NHL goal.
Kris Letang
Kris Letang is another major member of Pittsburgh’s veteran core and has played an important role on the Penguins’ defense for many seasons.
Nick Robertson
Robertson made his Pittsburgh debut in the 2026-27 opener and scored two goals against Philadelphia, including a short-handed goal.
Dan Vladar
Dan Vladar was Philadelphia’s goaltender in the 7-0 season-opening loss. He had previously been an important part of the Flyers’ 2026 playoff victory over Pittsburgh, including making 42 saves in the series-clinching Game 6.
Penguins vs Flyers Head-to-Head History
The rivalry dates back to October 19, 1967. Through the 2026 playoff meeting, Philadelphia held the overall series advantage. The rivalry has included both regular-season and postseason encounters over nearly six decades.
The teams have also met in several memorable playoff series, including:
- 1989 — Flyers won 4-3
- 1997 — Flyers won 4-1
- 2000 — Flyers won 4-2
- 2008 — Penguins won 4-1
- 2009 — Penguins won 4-2
- 2012 — Flyers won 4-2
- 2018 — Penguins won 4-2
- 2026 — Flyers won 4-2
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Penguins vs Flyers Schedule
The rivalry continues during the 2026-27 regular season. Pittsburgh’s official schedule lists Philadelphia visits and home games as part of the season’s Metropolitan Division schedule.
The next listed meetings after the September 30 opener include January 31, 2027, when Philadelphia visits Pittsburgh, and April 3, 2027, when Pittsburgh hosts Philadelphia.
Penguins vs Flyers: Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
| Teams | Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers |
| League | NHL |
| Division | Metropolitan Division |
| Rivalry name | Battle of Pennsylvania |
| First NHL meeting | October 19, 1967 |
| 2025-26 regular season | Pittsburgh went 2-0-2 |
| 2026 playoff series | Flyers won 4-2 |
| 2026-27 opener | Penguins won 7-0 |
| Penguins captain | Sidney Crosby |
| Major Penguins veterans | Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang |
| 2026-27 opener venue | Xfinity Mobile Arena |
What Makes the Matchup Important
Penguins vs Flyers is more than an ordinary divisional game. The clubs have decades of history, share the same state, and have repeatedly competed for playoff position.
The 2026 season added another chapter to the rivalry. Philadelphia eliminated Pittsburgh in the playoffs, but Pittsburgh responded by opening the following season with a 7-0 victory in Philadelphia.
For fans searching for Penguins vs Flyers, the most relevant information includes the latest score, upcoming schedule, team records, player statistics, head-to-head history, playoff meetings, and game results.
FAQs
Who are the Penguins and Flyers?
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are NHL teams from Pennsylvania and members of the Metropolitan Division.
Why is Penguins vs Flyers called the Battle of Pennsylvania?
Both teams are major Pennsylvania NHL franchises, and their long-running rivalry has produced many competitive regular-season and playoff games.
Who won the 2026 playoff series?
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in the 2026 Eastern Conference First Round.
Who won the 2026-27 season opener?
The Penguins defeated the Flyers 7-0 on September 30, 2026.
When do the Penguins and Flyers meet again?
After the September 30 opener, the schedule lists another meeting in Pittsburgh on January 31, 2027, with additional regular-season meetings later in the season.
Who are the major Penguins players?
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang remain among Pittsburgh’s most prominent veteran players.
