Flyers vs. Penguins set
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will meet in a Stanley Cup first‑round 'Battle of Pennsylvania' — their first postseason clash since 2018 — as the playoff field was completed this week ( ). Monday’s results clinched the final three playoff berths, leaving seeding and exact matchups to be finalized over the remaining regular‑season games (usatoday.com).
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are headed for a first-round Stanley Cup series, reviving the “Battle of Pennsylvania” for the first time in eight years. (nhl.com) The Flyers clinched Monday night with a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, locking up third place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh had already secured second place, which gives the Penguins home-ice advantage in the series. (nhl.com) The National Hockey League said Tuesday that all 16 playoff teams are now set after the Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks claimed the final three berths. The league’s bracket page listed Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia as the Eastern Conference matchup in the Metropolitan Division’s 2-versus-3 slot. (nhl.com (nhl.com)) This is Philadelphia’s first playoff trip since 2020 and the first time postseason hockey returns to the city since 2018. The Penguins are back in after missing the playoffs the past three seasons, with the club saying it clinched its first berth since 2021-22. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) The matchup lands in a season with unusual turnover across the league. National Hockey League media notes said six teams that missed the 2025 playoffs qualified this year, the second-highest year-over-year turnover total in league history. (nhl.com) Philadelphia’s path was especially steep. National Hockey League media notes said the Flyers were nine points out as late as March 10 and became the first team in league history to make the playoffs after trailing by that much through 60 or more games. (nhl.com) The rivalry has a long playoff history, but not a recent one. The Flyers said this will be the eighth postseason meeting between the franchises, with all seven previous series coming in the last 37 years. (nhl.com) Philadelphia holds a 4-3 edge in the first seven playoff meetings, according to the team’s series history, including wins in 1989, 1997, 2000 and 2012. Pittsburgh won the last two matchups, in 2018 and 2009, and also beat the Flyers in the 2008 Eastern Conference final. (nhl.com) The full game schedule was still pending Tuesday. The Flyers said the playoffs begin this weekend, while the Penguins said the league will release Round 1 dates once the remaining regular-season standings are finalized. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2)
