“I think there’s a chance [this series goes to 7 games]. If you wake up Sidney Crosby, this guy is unbelievable. I hate the guy and I love him at the same time. He’s going to have to lead the Penguins,” Oshie stated during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “If they are going to have any chance at coming back, it’s going to be on Sid’s shoulders.”

Crosby has come to life late in the series. Though the Penguins are still between a rock and a hard place, there were signs of improvement during Game 4’s victory. Crosby recorded two points (a goal and an assist) during Pittsburgh’s 4-2 win to avoid being swept by the Flyers. Crosby had put the Flyers on notice after the Penguins avoided elimination in Game 4, and now a former champion like Oshie may be trying to warn Philly, as well.

Penguins stayed alive

As the series returns to The Burgh, the Flyers know they must nip the problem in the bud before Crosby and company catch fire. Perhaps, the beast has been awaken, and it’s already too late.

The fourth win is said to be the hardest to secure in every Stanley Cup playoff matchup in the NHL, and a young squad like the one in Philadelphia may learn that lesson the hard way.

Crosby has gone back to doing Crosby things. The fact he scored a one-timer from an improbable position on the ice in Game 4 may be all the signs the Penguins need to know their captain is back in full force. The Pens may not need anything more. Crosby might be enough for them to secure another crucial victory in Game 5 and take the series back to the City of Brotherly Love.

Crosby, Penguins take it one game at a time

Pittsburgh won’t ever have any kind of love or respect for Philadelphia, but right now, there’s nothing the Black and Yellow want more than traveling back to the Birthplace of America for a Game 6. With no room for error but hanging on by a thread of hope, the Penguins are almost in an ideal spot to play relaxed and find their best hockey. What’s done is done. Taking a one-game-at-a-time approach may be the best thing the Pens can do.

Having lost only one game, the Flyers may look at Game 4’s defeat as a fluke outing. However, if they lose two in a row and suddenly find themselves in a pivotal Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the nerves and anxiety may eat Philly alive.

Playoff experience doesn’t show up on any stat sheet, but it’s often the X-factor in a series. When the tide gets rough, it comes to light. This is a great time for the Pens’ experience to come into play.

According to Flyers beat reporter Charlie O’Connor, Michkov is trending to serve as a healthy scratch in Game 5 of the NHL‘s Stanley Cup Playoffs. During Philadelphia’s practice on Sunday, the 21-year-old Russian—who has been held scoreless in the first four games of the series—participated as an extra in line rushes.

Thus, all signs indicate Michkov will take the fall for the team’s shortcomings in Game 4 and his own rough performances so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sidney Crosby put the Flyers on notice as the Penguins stayed alive, and Philly doesn’t need to be told twice. After failing to close out the series against the Penguins, the Flyers are wasting no time making changes.

Fans react to Michkov’s reported healthy scratch

Reactions to the report of Michkov’s healthy scratch were mixed. Some fans in Philadelphia agree with the call, as Michkov has been a non-factor so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Perhaps, this is the scolding he needs to find his footing. “It’ll do him good to watch a game from above,” a fan stated on social media. “I think it’s best. [Michkov] looks completely lost and struggling to keep pace,” another user wrote.

Others beg to differ. While no one denies Michkov hasn’t been playing like expected, some fans didn’t love the fact it was him who had to pay the price—again. “Scapegoating the future of the franchise,” a fan said. “I figured that as he is the easiest one to do it to,” another Flyers fan commented.

Mickhov and a complicated season

Michkov has been in the eye of the storm for a while in Philadelphia. The sophomore has built a rough relationship with head coach Rick Tocchet, who hasn’t shied away from publicly calling the Russian out all season long. It started with a comment about how Michkov didn’t arrive in shape for preseason. That was a recurrent topic Tocchet came back to often during the campaign, as Michkov had his ice time limited and his play style put on blast numerous times.

Some believe it’s all tough love; others think Tocchet has a grudge against Michkov. What’s clear is that Michkov has gotten the short end of the stick time and again in Philadelphia. Now, he is reportedly set to serve as a healthy scratch in one of the biggest games of the season for the Flyers.

If Tocchet can’t trust Michkov at this stage, it might be a breaking point for their relationship and Michkov’s confidence. It’s certainly a risky gamble on Tocchet’s part. However, it will all be forgotten by fans if Philadelphia walks out with a series-clinching victory from the City of Bridges.

Down 3-1, the series returns to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins must win their first home playoff game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they hope to stay alive in the 2025-26 NHL season. After being held scoreless through the first two games, Crosby has seemingly found his footing against Philadelphia.

Coming off a two-point outing against the Flyers in Game 4 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Pens’ captain spoke on the team’s performance. His message might as well serve as a warning to the Flyers, who have now learned the fourth win of any series is the hardest to secure.

“It’s only one, but it gives us some life,” Crosby admitted after the game, via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “That looked more like our game. And it’s probably taken us three games to look like ourselves a bit. So that’s something that we can definitely build on.”

Penguins are one game away from elimination

The Penguins have their backs against the wall. Any mistake could put them out of the race for the Stanley Cup and bring an end to what’s been an incredible 2025–26 NHL campaign. Not many expected the Pens—nor the Flyers—to be here. Still, here they are, and they have no desire to head back home early.

Luckily for Pittsburgh, this isn’t Crosby and company’s first rodeo. They’ve been here before, although they’ve never come back from a 3–0 series deficit. There’s always a first time for everything, though. That’s looking at the bright side.

Penguins could relive 2012 memories

On the other hand, the series against the Flyers could turn out to be awfully similar to the matchup in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That time, Crosby and the Penguins lost the first three games before prevailing in Games 4 and 5, only to be defeated in Game 6 back in the City of Brotherly Love. There’s a high chance the Pens-Flyers series goes exactly that way 14 years later. After all, history has a way of repeating itself.

Still, having looked like themselves for the first time in the series and snapping their six-game losing streak (going back to the regular season), the Penguins have reason to believe things can end up differently this time. Showings like their performance in Game 4 definitely help, and it might be just what Crosby and Pittsburgh needed to come to life.

Although Crosby finally registered his first point of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs—snapping his two-game drought—it wasn’t a good night for him or the Penguins. It felt like they weren’t on the referees’ good side all game long. Though Crosby had seen the glass half full despite the Pens’ terrible start to the series, that’s all changed. Desperation might be the one speaking now.

Crosby was assessed an embellishment penalty—the first of his career—on what would’ve been a critical man-advantage situation for the Pens. Still, Crosby was even more fired up about the second-period incidents that led to a game-changing power play for the Flyers.

“It kind of turned into a bit of a circus there,” Crosby said about the chaotic turn of events in the second period, via Pens Inside Scoop. “I’m not sure why [the refs] decided to put five guys in the box on each side. I felt like that kind of changed a lot of the momentum. Felt like [the Flyers] fed off that.”

What happened in second period?

Pittsburgh led 1-0 in the second period when all havoc broke loose on the ice. As players got involved in fisticuffs, the zebras handed out penalties like they were candy. A total of 11 penalties were assessed to 10 different players. The key difference was that Bryan Rust ended up with an extra penalty, handing Philly a power-play opportunity.

With five players on each team’s penalty box, Trevor Zegras cashed in with a thunderous one-timer in the man-advantage, and the game flipped entirely. It was all Flyers from there on out, and the Penguins could never recover.

“I don’t know how Rusty ends up with the extra [penalty] out of all of that, I don’t know how I end up with the embellishment,” Crosby said, expressing his confusion at the referees’ decisions in Game 3. “It’s hard to understand, but you gotta play through that.”

Officiating crew during Game 3

According to Scouting The Refs, Jake Brenk and Francois St. Laurent were the referees at Xfinity Mobile Arena during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup between the Flyers and Penguins. The linesmen were C. J. Murray and Jonny Murray.

Though namesakes, the two linespersons are not related. Moreover, C.J. Murray was born in Pittsburgh, but he still found himself in Crosby’s crosshairs, as the Penguins believe they got the short end of the stick.

Penguins face elimination

The Penguins are hanging on to their last life in the 2025–26 NHL season. Virtually nobody expected them to be in the postseason coming into the year, but after finishing second in the Metro, they hope to make the most of what might be the last rodeo for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Fight to live another day—that’s the name of the game for Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh boasts an experienced lineup—this isn’t its first rodeo in the NHL postseason—and Crosby is hanging on to that as a beacon of hope. Although head coach Dan Muse made it clear Crosby and company should be frustrated after falling in consecutive home games, the captain himself sees this as an opportunity for the Penguins to prove themselves—once more.

“I think we’ve been in some tough spots all year,” Crosby commented, via NHL.com. “We’ve always responded really well to adversity. It seems like it’s brought out the best in all of us. I think that getting on the road and having a situation like this hopefully brings out the best in us again here.”

Crosby remains scoreless

Through the first two games of the first-round showdown against the Flyers, Crosby has been neutralized by Rick Tocchet and company. Despite registering 7 shots through two outings, the Pens’ captain has yet to score a point and is carrying a -2 plus/minus in the series. The last time Crosby was held scoreless in consecutive postseason games was during the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Crosby is far from the main culprit behind the Penguins‘ rough start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs—that could very well be the nail in their coffin—but his team still needs him to step up if Pittsburgh wants to stay alive. Being held scoreless by the Flyers is not like Crosby.

In his career, he has scored 139 points against the Flyers—the second most against any team, with only the Islanders ranking higher. Moreover, Crosby’s 60 career goals (regular season only) against Philadelphia are his most against a single opponent. In playoff games, Crosby has scored 15 goals against the Flyers.

When do Crosby and Penguins play again?

Crosby and the Penguins will hit the road for Games 3 and 4 of the first-round matchup against the Flyers. Pittsburgh’s first visit to Xfinity Mobile Arena will be on April 22, while Game 4 will take place on Saturday, Apr. 25. Thus, the Penguins are in for a long stay in Philly.

Though dubbed the City of Brotherly Love, it’s clear there is no love for the Flyers’ cross-state neighbors in South Philly. Entering the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Crosby and the Penguins will quickly be reminded of how deep the rivalry runs.

Flyers vs Penguins: Playoff history

The Flyers have a chance to sweep the Pens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The two franchises have met seven times in the postseason; Philadelphia leads with four series wins to Pittsburgh’s three, but neither has ever swept the other Pennsylvania organization.

A win in Game 3 could allow the Flyers to put their foot on the Pens’ throat, and it might be all she wrote for Crosby and company. If there’s a silver lining for Crosby and the Pens to hang their hats on, it’s that the Penguins have won their last three playoff games in Philly (2017-18 Stanley Cup Playoffs). If they can keep that trend going, they might save their 2025–26 NHL season.

“There should be frustration. (We) should be frustrated,” Muse admitted after Game 2, per NHL.com. “We just lost two games at home. And so, I would hope nobody’s happy right now. Nobody should be.”

While Crosby sees the glass half full despite the rough start to the series, Muse may not share his captain’s perspective. The Penguins know they can still turn things around, but they are up against the ropes. If Pittsburgh doesn’t return the favor and win both upcoming games (Games 3 and 4) in Philadelphia, the series may as well be over—even if it returns to the Burgh for Game 5.

Flyers have Pens’ number

Simply put, the Penguins have not been the better team through the first two games of the first-round series. Philadelphia looks hungrier, faster, stronger, and—most importantly—far more effective. The Pens can’t buy a goal, and the Flyers make it look easy.

In a playoff matchup featuring nine Stanley Cups combined between Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, there’s a 19-year-old with fewer than 10 NHL regular-season career games who’s running the show. Porter Martone has scored the game-winning goal in both games at PPG Paints Arena and is a big reason the Flyers lead 2–0 heading back to the City of Brotherly Love.

Penguins have to take a look in the mirror

Less than a two-hour flight from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Muse, Crosby, and company won’t have much time in the air for deep thinking. Still, they must figure out a way to retake control of the series. At some point, the Penguins’ playoff experience must carry its weight and not succumb to the energized young squad in Philadelphia.

The Penguins are no longer in 2012, but Crosby still doesn’t like the Flyers—least of all would he like to get knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by them, especially when postseason appearances have become rarer for the Pens, and this might be his last rodeo.

The Penguins came out a bit flat in their first playoff game since the 2021-22 NHL season. The energized Flyers dominated most of the action and they walked away with an important win to start the series. As for Pittsburgh, there’s room for improvement, and its leaders Crosby and Malkin may already know what needs to change. The Penguins must stay out of the box. In order to do so, they can’t play into the Flyers’ hands.

“That’s going to be part of a series,” Crosby admitted about after the whistle activities and penalties, per NHL.com. “I think we’ve got to stay out of it a little bit more and trust that when they do 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.”

“We start fighting. This is what they want, you know? We know it’s Philly, we know it’s the playoffs, we know it’s coming,” Malkin added. “I like to play physical, I like to play a hard game. But just after a whistle, we need to just, like, go away and play smart. Everybody should be a little bit smarter.”

Crosby held pointless

Making his first postseason appearance since May 15, 2022, the spotlight was on Crosby as the Penguins hosted a Stanley Cup Playoffs game at PPG Paints Arena for the first time in what felt like forever for fans in The Burgh. However, Rick Tocchet and the Flyers came up with a strong plan to keep him quiet all night long.

Crosby was held off the scoresheet, and that is a recipe for success when facing the Penguins. Pittsburgh is 8–14 this season in games Crosby doesn’t register a point. Still, the Flyers can’t rest on their laurels.

Crosby will be out for revenge in Game 2, and he only needs one to be back in full force and be decisive in the series. Philadelphia should know that by now. “Sid the Kid” is 3–1 against the Flyers in playoff series.

Flyers win crucial Game 1

Analytics and common sense tell the whole story. Philadelphia secured a crucial triumph in Game 1. Winning the series opener is usually an indicator of success. According to a June 2023 article from Sports Insider, teams that win Game 1 go on to win the series 68% of the time. Those who do so on the road—like the Flyers did against the Penguins—have a series success rate of 57%.

These numbers may have fluctuated a bit since, but they remain in that range. Winning the series opener most of the time is an indicator of winning the series. Just because the math is on their side doesn’t mean the job is finished, though. The Flyers know they’ve awakened the beast, and they must brace for Crosby, Malkin, and the rest of the Penguins to unleash their wrath.

The Swedish winger missed the team’s previous game with a lower-body injury, but there is growing optimism inside the organization that he could return, with reports indicating he is “probable” or at least has a real chance to suit up.

His status remains one of the key storylines, especially after he was a late scratch earlier in the week despite taking warmups. The Kings have labeled him day-to-day, and head coach D.J. Smith has expressed hope that the forward can go.

What happened to Adrian Kempe?

Adrian Kempe suffered a lower-body injury and is currently listed as day-to-day for the Los Angeles Kings. The forward was a late scratch in a recent game against the New York Rangers despite taking part in warmups, with reports indicating the issue may have occurred just before puck drop.

The injury forced him to miss his first game of the 2025–26 season, and while the team has not disclosed full details, early indications suggest it is not considered serious. The Kings are monitoring him closely.

How important has Adrian Kempe been this season?

Adrian Kempe has been one of the Los Angeles Kings’ top offensive leaders this season, leading the team in scoring production. He has recorded 26 goals and 58 points in 66 games, underlining his role as a primary scoring option in the lineup.

Beyond the numbers, he has been a driving force in the Kings’ attack, consistently producing in key moments and anchoring top-line combinations. He also ranks among the team leaders in goals, assists and total points.

Detroit currently holds more than $12 million in available cap space, positioning the franchise as one of the more aggressive potential buyers on the market. As several trades have already reshaped the league landscape, the Red Wings appear determined to evaluate every opportunity that could improve their blue line before the deadline arrives.

According to NHL insider Jeff Marek, Detroit has already checked in on a specific target. “I know for sure that they’ve checked in on Ristolainen a few times,” Marek reported, indicating the Red Wings have shown interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Detroit seeking more physical presence on the blue line

The 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman is known for his physical style and willingness to block shots, traits that could help address areas where Detroit has struggled defensively this season. Ristolainen’s presence could particularly strengthen the penalty kill and add a tougher edge to the Red Wings’ defensive structure.

Contract situation could complicate a potential deal

Unlike many players moved at the trade deadline, Ristolainen is not a short-term rental. The 31-year-old carries a $5.1 million cap hit that runs through the 2026–27 season, which could increase the cost of acquiring him in a trade.

However, Detroit’s strong collection of draft capital and available cap space could give Yzerman the flexibility needed to compete with other teams interested in the defenseman.

Through the first forty minutes, Florida appeared poised for a different outcome. Strong puck movement, aggressive transition play, and steady forechecking allowed the Panthers to dictate tempo and build an early lead. However, the third period exposed familiar issues that have surfaced repeatedly this season — slower decisions, lost puck battles, and a costly lack of urgency against a Flyers team that refused to go away.

Addressing the media postgame, head coach Paul Maurice did not shy away from the critical moment that changed the game. “I thought we were slow with the puck [in the third period],” Maurice said via Panthers reporter Jameson Olive.

He also added: “I think they got in on some pucks. We were just late to some loose pucks that were laying around, and they maintained that control.” His assessment captured the turning point of a night that slipped out of Florida’s hands.

Panthers lose command of third period

Florida’s early control was evident when Sam Bennett drove toward the crease and connected with Brad Marchand at 5:21 of the opening frame, giving the Panthers a 1–0 lead.

The strong start carried into the second, where Carter Verhaeghe — coming off a three-point night in Nashville — finished a clean multi-pass sequence set up by Bennett’s second primary assist of the night. But Philadelphia responded with pressure of its own, beginning with Emil Andrae’s point shot that cut the lead to 2–1 and shifted momentum.

Late breakdown hands Flyers the win

The third period saw the Panthers press but fail to break through, as Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar turned aside 25 of 27 Florida shots to steady his team. The decisive moment arrived with just 44.5 seconds remaining when Tyson Foerster’s rebound attempt deflected off Aaron Ekblad’s leg before he buried the loose puck for the game-winner.

What’s next for the Panthers?

With the Thanksgiving break now behind them, the Panthers will attempt to regroup quickly as they return to home ice Friday at 4 p.m. ET to host the Calgary Flames — a chance to reset puck pressure, sharpen tempo, and regain ground in a tightening Atlantic Division race.

Perfection on ice has tempted more than a few great teams — from the 1976–77 Canadiens, who turned dominance into routine, to modern powerhouses that’ve brushed against the impossible. Yet none have ever escaped defeat entirely.

Each generation delivers a new contender that teases the dream: a team skating through winter with swagger, numbers and noise that whisper “maybe this is the one”. But the grind of the NHL always finds a way to break the spell.

Still, those near-perfect seasons endure in hockey memory, the nights when the rink felt smaller, the puck lighter, and victory inevitable. They became more than records; they became legends, proof that chasing perfection is its own kind of immortality.

Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80): The 35-game miracle run

In the fall of 1979, the Philadelphia Flyers carved out one of the most staggering streaks in NHL history — 35 consecutive games without a loss. Between October 14, 1979 and January 6, 1980, they went 25–0–10, a record that still stands today.

The mix of grit, skill, and unshakable belief defined that stretch, turning a regular season into a phenomenon. Led by Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber and goaltender Pete Peeters, the Flyers dominated opponents with suffocating forechecks and relentless energy.

Their run became a cultural moment in Philadelphia, where fans began to believe in perfection. Though they ultimately fell short of an undefeated season — and later lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Islanders — the streak remains a gold standard for consistency and resilience in NHL lore.

Montreal Canadiens (1976–77): Dominance redefined

If perfection ever came close to being real, it was the 1976–77 Montreal Canadiens. That season, they finished with an almost unthinkable 60–8–12 record, collecting points in 72 of 80 games. Their blend of artistry and precision reshaped what a “great” team could look like.

Led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson and Serge Savard, the Canadiens outscored their rivals by 216 goals and finished a staggering 20 points ahead of the next-best team.

They carried that dominance into the playoffs, losing just two games en route to another Stanley Cup. It wasn’t a perfect season on paper — but it came as close as humanly possible.

Detroit Red Wings (1995–96): A modern machine

Two decades later, the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings revived the dream of near-perfection. With 62 wins, they broke Montreal’s single-season victory record, finishing 62–13–7.

Their combination of European finesse and North American toughness made them nearly unbeatable through much of the year. Led by Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov and Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit’s puck control and two-way play became a blueprint for modern success.

Yet, even with all that dominance, the Red Wings fell short in the postseason, losing to the Avalanche in a shocking Western Conference Final — a reminder that perfection in hockey is as fragile as a bounce off the boards.

Chicago Blackhawks (2012–13): The short-season surge

In a lockout-shortened 2012–13 campaign, the Chicago Blackhawks launched one of the most electric starts in NHL history. They went 24 games without a regulation loss (21–0–3), a run that reignited a city and reminded fans that greatness could strike even in a condensed season.

Behind Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Corey Crawford, Chicago’s blend of speed and structure overwhelmed teams night after night. They went on to win the Stanley Cup, completing one of the most satisfying arcs in modern hockey — a streak that felt, at times, untouchable.

Boston Bruins (2022–23): Regular-season royalty

The 2022–23 Boston Bruins rewrote the record books with 65 wins and 135 points, the most in NHL history. For months, they looked unstoppable — a machine of defensive discipline and offensive depth led by David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Linus Ullmark.

But even historic numbers couldn’t guarantee immortality. The Bruins’ dream collapsed in the first round of the playoffs, proving once again that no regular season, no matter how dominant, is ever truly perfect. Still, their run remains one of the most complete displays of power in the modern era.

Notable streaks and records

• Longest undefeated streak: Philadelphia Flyers, 35 games (1979–80)
• Fewest losses in a full season: Montreal Canadiens, 8 losses (1976–77)
• Most wins in a season: Boston Bruins, 65 wins (2022–23)
• Best start to a season: Chicago Blackhawks, 24 games without a regulation loss (2012–13)
• Most wins in the modern era before Bruins: Detroit Red Wings, 62 wins (1995–96)