What to know Penguins vs Flyers in first round of NHL playoffs: Prediction, schedule, breakdown
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers ended playoff droughts, and the reward is a first-round series pitting the bitter rivals against each other once again.
It’s the eighth time they will face each other in the Stanley Cup playoffs and the first time since 2018 when Pittsburgh won 4-2 in the first round.
Here’s what to know about the Metropolitcan matchup between two teams that surpassed preseason expectations to get to this point:
Pittsburgh (41-25-16, 98 points): The longshot Penguins are giving the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang another chance after three years without a postseason berth. Strengths: Erik Karlsson has been great at 35, and rookie coach Dan Muse plays a style that allows his team to score in bunches and turn the tide on opponents quickly. Weaknesses: Defending isn't the Pens' strong suit, and neither is their goaltending, so they often need to outscore their problems.
Philadelphia (43-27-12, 98 points): The Flyers have been the NHL's best team since March 7, going 15-5-1 to make it in for the first time since 2020. Strengths: They can lean on experienced elders like Sean Couturier but are in the playoffs because of young, emerging stars Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov. Weaknesses: Goalie Dan Vladar played a ton down the stretch because he needed to, and he and many of his teammates are largely new to this kind of pressure.
AP's pick: Pittsburgh (-160) has too many players who have been there, done that and could make a longer-than-expected run. Penguins in five.
The NHL released the first-round schedules Thursday.
Game 1: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh; Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 5*: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
Game 6*: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 7*: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
* if necessary
