Game Details
- Puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 PM ET (2:30 PM PT)
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: ESPN+, SN-PIT, NBCSP
This Metropolitan Division rivalry game features the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins in a crucial matchup for playoff positioning. The Penguins, despite injuries, aim to leverage their strong home form against a Flyers team dealing with key absences but showing resilience in recent outings.
Recent Team Forms
The Penguins have cooled off after a hot streak, while the Flyers have shown mixed results but struggled defensively in losses.
Philadelphia Flyers (4-4-2 in last 10 games): The Flyers average 2.8 goals per game overall but have allowed 3.1 recently, with a 15.9% power play (29th) and 79.3% penalty kill (15th). They’ve trended under in 6 of their last 7 games and are 4-6 ATS. Key recent results:
- Mar 5 vs. UTA: L 0-3 (shutout loss; outshot 35-23)
- Mar 3 @ TOR: W 3-2 (SO) (Noah Cates: G + A)
- Mar 2 vs. CBJ: L 2-3
- Feb 28 @ DAL: L 2-3
- Feb 26 vs. CHI: W 4-2
- Feb 24 @ WSH: L 2-4
- Feb 22 vs. MIN: L 5-6
- Feb 20 @ STL: W 6-5
- Feb 18 @ NYI: W 4-3
- Feb 15 @ NJD: L 2-3
Philadelphia has gone under in 6 of their last 7 and is 3-5 SU on the road lately.
Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3-2 in last 10 games): The Penguins average 3.3 goals per game while allowing 2.8, with a 25.3% power play (6th) and 84.5% penalty kill (2nd). They’re on a two-game skid but 6-4 ATS. Key recent results:
- Mar 5 @ BUF: L 1-5 (heavy defeat; outscored 20-8 in recent losses)
- Mar 3 vs. VGK: L 3-4 (OT)
- Mar 2 vs. FLA: W 3-2 (OT)
- Feb 28 @ TBL: W 6-2
- Feb 27 @ FLA: W 3-2
- Feb 25 @ NJD: W 3-2
- Feb 23 vs. FLA: W 3-2 (OT)
- Feb 22 @ TBL: W 6-2
- Feb 20 vs. VGK: L 2-3
- Feb 18 vs. PIT: W 2-1
Pittsburgh trends over in 5 of their last 7 home games vs. Western teams but under overall recently.
Injury Report
Injuries severely impact Pittsburgh’s core, while Philadelphia manages forward depth issues.
Philadelphia Flyers:
- Tyson Foerster (RW): Out (Arm; expected to miss extended time)
- Rodrigo Abols (C): Out (Ankle; fractured, out indefinitely)
- Nick Seeler (D): Day-to-Day (Lower Body; game-time decision)
- Travis Konecny (RW): Day-to-Day (Upper Body; game-time decision)
Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Sidney Crosby (C): Out (Lower Body/Leg; on IR, expected out at least four weeks/Mar 26)
- Filip Hallander (C): Out (Leg; on IR, expected out until at least Mar 8)
- Jack St. Ivany (D): Out (Hand; on IR post-surgery)
- Blake Lizotte (C): Out (Lower Body)
- Rickard Rakell (C): Out (Lower Body)
- Bryan Rust (RW): Out (Lower Body)
- Caleb Jones (D): Out (Suspension/Lower Body)
Key Player Matchups
With Crosby sidelined, the focus shifts to Pittsburgh’s depth against Philadelphia’s young talent. Special teams could be pivotal given both teams’ PK strengths.
- Travis Konecny (PHI, RW) vs. Evgeni Malkin (PIT, C): Konecny (day-to-day; projected 25+ goals) leads Philly’s offense with speed and scoring (high SOG). Malkin (recent multi-point games) steps up as Pittsburgh’s top center, using vision and power to exploit mismatches.
- Matvei Michkov (PHI, RW) vs. Erik Karlsson (PIT, D): Michkov (rookie sensation, 20+ points est.) brings creativity and shot volume. Karlsson (defensive quarterback, 40+ points) must contain Michkov’s rushes while adding offense (25+ min TOI).
- Owen Tippett (PHI, RW) vs. Kris Letang (PIT, D): Tippett (speedy scorer, 15+ goals) thrives in transition. Letang (recently activated from IR; physical defender) anchors Pittsburgh’s blue line, aiming to limit Tippett’s space.
Other notables: Samuel Ersson (PHI G: .905 SV%) vs. Tristan Jarry (PIT G: strong home form); Sean Couturier (PHI) vs. Michael Bunting (PIT) for gritty play.
Series History
Philadelphia leads the all-time series 189-126-30-14 (including playoffs), with a regular-season edge of 168-106-30-14. Postseason: 21-20 PHI. The rivalry intensified with four playoff meetings from 2008-2018. Recent trends favor Pittsburgh at home (points in 10 straight vs. PHI, 8-0-2 since 2021). Key recent results:
- Jan 15, 2026: PIT 5-3 @ PHI
- Dec 1, 2025: PIT 5-1 @ PHI
- Nov 8, 2025: PIT 3-1 vs. PHI
- Mar 30, 2025: PHI 2-1 @ PIT (last Flyers win)
Pittsburgh is 6-13 SU in last 19 overall but strong at home; overs in 9 of PHI’s last 13 road games.
Betting Trends
- Puck Line: Flyers have covered +1.5 in 6 of last 7 as underdogs.
- Total: Under has hit in 6 of Flyers’ last 7 and 4 of Penguins’ last 5 home games.
- ATS Trends: Penguins 36-23 ATS overall (18-11 home); Flyers 32-26 ATS (11-18 away); PHI 6-13 SU last 19 vs. PIT.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
Pittsburgh Penguins – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 6, 2026
