* It was a return to Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey for the NHL record book as the Sabres recorded the second-latest, multi-goal comeback win in regulation during the postseason spurred by Tage Thompson, who scored two of his club’s four goals in the final eight minutes.

* Juraj Slafkovský joined rare franchise and NHL company by scoring three power-play goals during the Canadiens’ series-opening victory including one in overtime to complete the hat trick.

* Day 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw Buffalo, Montreal and Vegas record a comeback win to take a series lead, marking the first time since 2021 (4) at least three teams overcame a deficit to take a 1-0 lead in the First Round.

* Monday features Connor McDavid and the Oilers hosting Leo Carlsson and the Ducks in Anaheim’s first playoff contest since 2018 as well as the Penguins, Senators and Stars looking to bounce back in Game 2.
 

SABRES STUN BRUINS WITH MULTI-GOAL COMEBACK IN FINAL EIGHT MINUTES

A stunning final eight minutes in Buffalo saw the Sabres overcome a multi-goal, third period deficit after Tage Thompson (2-1—3), Mattias Samuelsson (1-0—1) and Alex Tuch (1-1—2) combined for four goals in the span of 6:46, sending the fans inside KeyBank Center and outside at the Sabrehood Blockparty into a frenzy as the club took a 1-0 series lead. Buffalo won its first postseason game in nearly 15 years to the day (last April 22, 2011), its second-ever multi-goal, third-period comeback win in the playoffs (also Game 4 of 1993 DSF) and recorded the second-latest multi-goal come-from-behind regulation victory in NHL history.

* Thompson, who has led the Sabres in goals in each of the past five seasons, became just the second player in franchise history to record three points in their playoff debut, following Pierre Turgeon (2-1—3 in Game 1 of 1988 DSF). Only two players in NHL history have posted more in their first-ever postseason contest: Dominik Kubalik (2-3—5 in Game 1 of 2020 SCQ) and Daryl Evans (2-2—4 in Game 1 of 1982 DSF). Thompson also tied the Sabres record for most points in a playoff period.

* The Sabres became the eighth team in NHL history to record a two-goal, third-period comeback win in the final 10 minutes of a game and win in regulation. The last team to do so was the Hurricanes (April 22, 2024).

SLAFKOVSKÝ COMPLETES HAT TRICK WITH OVERTIME GOAL AS CANADIENS TAKE GAme 1
Juraj Slafkovský scored his third power-play goal of the contest at 1:22 of overtime to complete his first career postseason hat trick and propel Montreal to a 1-0 lead in its First Round series.

* Slafkovský became the third player in franchise playoff history with a hat trick that included an overtime goal, following Eric Desjardins (Game 2 of 1993 SCF) and Gerry Plamondon (Game 2 of 1949 SF). Slafkovský was the first on any team to achieve the feat during the postseason since Joel Kiviranta (Game 7 of 2020 R2).

* Slafkovský (22 years, 20 days) became the third-youngest player in franchise playoff history with a hat trick behind Bernie Geoffrion (21 years, 40 days in Game 2 of 1952 SF) and Howie Morenz (21 years, 183 days in Game 1 of 1924 SCF). Slafkovský was the youngest with one during the postseason NHL-wide since Andrei Svechnikov (20 years, 130 days in Game 2 of 2020 SCQ).

* Slafkovskýbecame the Canadiens’ first player on record (since 1934 when goals by type were officially tracked) with three power-play goals in a playoff game. He was the League’s 12th different skater to achieve the feat and first since Jonathan Toews (Game 4 of 2010 CSF). 

STONE GRABS GOLDEN KNIGHTS RECORD EN ROUTE TO 1-0 SERIES LEAD

Trailing 2-1 to start the third period, Mark Stone (1-0—1) pulled the Golden Knights even – setting a franchise record in the process – and Nic Dowd (1-0—1) netted the game winner as Vegas rallied to defeat Utah and take a 1-0 series lead. The Golden Knights earned their 63rd playoff win – tied with the Lightning for the most among all teams since they entered the League in 2017-18.

* Stonescored his 37th playoff goal with the Golden Knights and surpassed Jonathan Marchessault (36) for the most in franchise history. Stone’s goal was a timely one: it marked the fourth time that he factored on a tying goal in the third period of a playoff game with Vegas, which is tiedwith William Karlsson for the second most behind Marchessault(5).

MacKINNON, WEDGEWOOD HELP AVALANCHE EARN 1-0 SERIES LEAD

Nathan MacKinnon (0-1—1) continued his offensive production from the regular season in Game 1, while Scott Wedgewood stopped 24 of 25 shots faced in his first career playoff start to help the Avalanche take a 1-0 series lead against the Kings.

* MacKinnon boosted his career Game 1 totals to 13-19—32 and passed Peter Forsberg (31) for the second most in franchise history, trailing only Joe Sakic (42). Those two aforementioned Avalanche legends are the only two players ahead of MacKinnon on the franchise’s all-time playoff goals, assists and points lists.

* Wedgewood (33 years, 248 days) became the 10th goaltender in Avalanche/Nordiques history to record a win in his first career playoff start with the club and is the eldest among that group, besting Darcy Kuemper (31 years, 363 days in Game 1 of 2022 R1).



COOLEY SCORES MAMMOTH’S FIRST PLAYOFF GOAL IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

Logan Cooley scored Utah’s first Stanley Cup Playoffs goal after factoring on the franchise’s first-ever regular-season goal scored by Dylan Guenther on Oct. 8, 2024 – this was one of a number of notes that can be found in Sunday’s #NHLStats: Live Updates.

QUICK CLICKS

* Color of Hockey: Brett Peterson gearing up U.S. as general manager for 2026 Worlds

* Leon Draisaitl could return to Oilers for Game 1 of West 1st Round against Ducks
* Sidney Crosby‘s history against Flyers could spark Penguins in Game 2
* Stars enter Game 2 of Western 1st Round familiar with handling early adversity
* Frederik Andersen rewards Hurricanes to start Eastern 1st Round, looks to ‘do it again’ in Game 2

Monday has Oilers dueling Ducks in Anaheim’s first playoff game since 2018
Monday’s schedule features Connor McDavid and the Oilers hosting Leo Carlsson and the Ducks in Anaheim’s first postseason contest since Game 4 of the 2018 First Round as well as the Penguins, Senators and Stars looking to even their series.

* The Ducks will officially snap their seven-season playoff drought when the puck drops against the Oilers, who begin their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance and first championship since 1990. Anaheim’s last series victory was versus Edmonton in the 2017 Second Round, which followed McDavid’s first career Art Ross Trophy and brought an end to his first playoff run.

* McDavid won five more regular-season scoring titles since then and looks to add a championship to his trophy case which features 15 individual NHL Awards. Carlsson and fellow young stars Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke are set to make their postseason debut after contributing to several late-game rallies by the Ducks, whose last series against the Oilers featured the latest three-goal comeback win in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

* Sidney Crosby has 76 career points in games immediately following a playoff loss by his team and can tie Nicklas Lidstrom (77) for the sixth-highest total in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (111), Doug Gilmour (93), Mark Messier (83), Ray Bourque (79) and Nikita Kucherov (78). Bourque’s total includes two assists in Game 5 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final after Game 4 was suspended due to power failure following the Bruins’ loss in Game 3.

* Crosby and Claude Giroux have 39 points apiece in games where their club faced a series deficit, while Brady Tkachuk tallied a team-leading four goals and seven points in five of those contests last year. Wyatt Johnston and the Stars dropped their postseason-opening game against the Avalanche in the 2025 First Round but bounced back with consecutive overtime wins before earning a seven-game victory capped by Johnston’s franchise record-tying third series clincher.

Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
faceoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM MT)
TV/Streaming: ESPN2, CBC, SN, TVAS, Victory+, KCOP-13 (national and local broadcasts)

Team Records

Anaheim Ducks (regular season): 43-33-6 (92 points), 3rd in the Pacific Division. Road record: 19-20-2.

Edmonton Oilers (regular season): 41-30-11 (93 points), 2nd in the Pacific Division. Home record: 22-14-5.

Playoff records (current series): Both 0-0.

The Oilers earned home-ice advantage with a slightly better point total in a tight Pacific race, but the Ducks posted more total wins and enter as a dangerous, physical wild-card-style threat making their first postseason appearance in eight years.

Recent Team Forms

Ducks: Limped into the playoffs, posting a 2-6-2 record in their final 10 games (outscored 41-30). They showed strong 5-on-5 expected goals share late (56.3%) but struggled with poor starts, defensive lapses, and goaltending regression after a hotter mid-season stretch. Road play has been inconsistent, but the young group carries momentum from earlier success.

Oilers: Finished with mixed results (roughly 6-2-2 or 2-2-2 in recent stretches) but closed strong with a 6-1 win over Vancouver in the finale. They endured injuries and early travel woes yet showed resilience, especially at home. Edmonton went on a season-high five-game win streak earlier and has leaned defensive post-deadline.

No prior playoff games in this series—Game 1 sets the tone in a high-stakes Pacific Division rivalry renewal.

Injury Report

Anaheim Ducks:

Radko Gudas (D) – Day-to-day (lower body); missed recent games but expected to play a limited role if cleared.

Jansen Harkins (C) – OUT (upper body/hand surgery; missed all of April).

Ross Johnston (LW) – OUT (lower body).

Petr Mrazek (G) – OUT (lower body/hip).

Edmonton Oilers:

Leon Draisaitl (C) – Day-to-day (lower body/knee); missed final 14 regular-season games but skated fully in practice and is trending toward availability (possibly Game 1—medical clearance pending; coach non-committal but optimistic).

Jason Dickinson (C) – Day-to-day (lower body/leg); returned to skating but status uncertain for Game 1.

Max Jones (LW) – OUT (lower body).

The Oilers’ depth and goaltending are otherwise intact. Draisaitl’s potential return is the series’ biggest wildcard.

Player Matchups to Watch

Goaltending Battle (Critical for Underdog Ducks):

Ducks: Lukas Dostal (30-20-4, 3.10 GAA, .888 SV% in 56 games). Young starter must steal games behind a leaky defense; Olympic experience helps, but he’ll face heavy pressure.

Oilers: Connor Ingram (16-10-3, 2.60 GAA, .899 SV% in 32 games) expected to start—acquired for stability and has been strong lately (.924 SV% in recent stretch). Tristan Jarry provides backup but has been inconsistent.

Forward Lines & Key Skaters:

Oilers’ stars vs. Ducks’ youth/physicality: Connor McDavid (league-best impact; factored in nearly 49% of team goals; carried offense without Draisaitl with 24 points in 14 games). Zach Hyman, Matt Savoie (hot scorer), and—if healthy—Leon Draisaitl (97 points in 65 games pre-injury). Elite power play looms large.

Ducks’ emerging core: Troy Terry (scoring threat), Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and veteran John Carlson on the back end. They rely on speed, physical forecheck, and counter-punching.

Special Teams & Style: Oilers boast one of the league’s top power plays; Ducks rank lower but play heavy, structured hockey. Expect board battles, odd-man rushes, and Ducks trying to disrupt Edmonton’s transition game.

Series History & Head-to-Head

This is a rare (or first in recent memory) playoff meeting between the clubs. The Ducks famously eliminated the Oilers in 7 games (OT Game 7) in 2017. 2025-26 regular-season head-to-head: Oilers went 2-1-0 (wins: 7-4 and 4-2 at home; loss: 5-6 in Anaheim). All games high-scoring and decided in regulation; home teams won each.
All-time context: Oilers hold historical regular-season edge, but Ducks’ physical style has historically troubled Edmonton in playoffs.

Betting Trends

Oilers strong as home favorites (35-29 as ML fave overall; 13-6 when shorter than -178).

Ducks respectable underdogs (26-23 as + money; 4-5 when +148 or longer).

Overs hit in 58.5% of Oilers games; Ducks-Oilers matchups trended high-scoring.

Playoff openers often tight, but these teams’ styles favor offense.

Game Odds

Anaheim Ducks                 6.5

Edmonton Oilers              – 180

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 19, 2026

Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Faceoff is scheduled for 9:30 PM EDT (8:30 PM CT)
TV/Streaming: ESPN, FDSNNO, Victory+, FDSNWI, Sportsnet, TVAS (national and local broadcasts)

Team Records

Minnesota Wild (regular season): 46-24-12 (104 points), 3rd in the Central Division. Road record: strong enough to steal Game 1 convincingly.

Dallas Stars (regular season): 50-20-12 (112 points), 2nd in the Central Division. Home record: elite, though challenged in Game 1.

Playoff records (current series): Wild 1-0 | Stars 0-1 (MIN leads 1-0 after a 6-1 Game 1 road win on April 18 at American Airlines Center).

The Stars earned home-ice advantage with a superior regular-season point total, but the Wild enter Game 2 with massive momentum after a dominant series opener.

Recent Team Forms

Wild: Explosive in Game 1, posting their highest playoff scoring output in years while shutting down Dallas’s attack after the first period. Minnesota closed the regular season competitively and has shown road resilience. They are riding a wave after the 6-1 statement win, with timely scoring and elite special teams play.

Stars: Disappointing Game 1 performance despite home ice, allowing multiple power-play goals and struggling to generate sustained pressure. Dallas was one of the league’s top teams all season but now faces early adversity without key contributors. Home form remains a strength historically, setting up a must-have bounce-back opportunity.

Game 1 recap: Wild 6, Stars 1. Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice (including a power-play goal), Kirill Kaprizov added the game-winning goal plus two assists, and Matt Boldy notched two goals and an assist. Jason Robertson scored Dallas’s lone goal on the power play. Jesper Wallstedt was outstanding in his NHL playoff debut for Minnesota.

Injury Report

Minnesota Wild:

No significant injuries reported. The roster is fully healthy entering Game 2, with goaltending depth providing flexibility.

Dallas Stars:

Roope Hintz (C) – OUT (lower body); confirmed absent for Games 1 and 2 (return uncertain, possibly Game 3 or later).

Nathan Bastian (RW) – OUT (hand); out until early May.

Miro Heiskanen (D) – Day-to-day (lower body); status improving but monitor for Game 2 availability (was questionable pre-series and re-evaluated recently).

The Stars’ forward depth and blue-line mobility take a hit without Hintz, a major blow to their top-line production and two-way play.

Player Matchups to Watch

Goaltending Battle (Critical in a Tight Series):

Wild: Jesper Wallstedt (playoff debut hero with a stellar performance in Game 1). Rookie has been outstanding late-season (.916 SV% regular season) and could get the nod again on the hot hand. Filip Gustavsson remains a strong tandem option (veteran playoff experience).

Stars: Jake Oettinger (expected starter; Minnesota native with strong history vs. Wild). Posted elite numbers in past playoff matchups against Minnesota but will need to rebound sharply after Game 1. Casey DeSmith is a reliable backup.

Forward Lines & Key Skaters:

Wild’s offensive depth vs. Stars’ depleted top six: Kirill Kaprizov (elite playmaker/scorer), Matt Boldy (multi-goal threat), Joel Eriksson Ek (physical two-way center with power-play goals), and Mats Zuccarello (setup artist). Minnesota thrives on speed, transition, and special teams.

Stars’ veterans without Hintz: Jason Robertson (Game 1 goal scorer), Jamie Benn, and supporting cast must step up. Absence of Hintz forces lineup adjustments and reduces scoring punch.

Defensemen: Wild’s mobile back end controls play; Stars rely on Heiskanen (if healthy) and veterans for structure.

Special Teams & Style: Both teams rank among the league’s best on power play and penalty kill. Expect a faster, more structured Game 2 with heavy board battles—Wild will push their transition game while Dallas emphasizes forecheck and home-ice physicality.

Series History & Head-to-Head

This is the third playoff meeting between these Central Division rivals. The Stars have won both prior first-round series (2016 and 2023, both 4-2). 2025-26 regular-season head-to-head: Split series (roughly even, with Dallas holding a slight edge).
All-time regular season: Stars lead overall.
Playoff context: Dallas has historically owned this matchup in the postseason, but Minnesota’s Game 1 dominance and Stars’ injuries shift the early narrative. Game 1 was a one-sided affair unlike the typically close battles these teams deliver.

Betting Trends

Stars are strong home favorites but were dominated in Game 1.

Wild have covered as road underdogs recently and are coming off a blowout win.

Playoff Game 2s after lopsided openers often see the home team respond, but totals can trend higher early before tightening.

Historical H2H leans toward competitive, lower-scoring games—though Game 1 shattered that.

Game Odds

Minnesota Wild               5.5

Dallas Stars                         – 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 19, 2026

Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EDT
TV/Streaming: ESPN2, FDSNSO (FanDuel Sports Network South), SN, CBC, TVAS (national and local broadcasts)

Team Records

Ottawa Senators (regular season): 44-27-11 (99 points), wild-card qualifier. Road record: 21-15-5 (or similar variants across sources).

Carolina Hurricanes (regular season): 53-22-7 (113 points), 1st in the Metropolitan Division and top seed in the Eastern Conference. Home record: 29-10-2 (dominant at Lenovo Center).

Playoff records (current series): Senators 0-1 | Hurricanes 1-0 (CAR leads 1-0 after a 2-0 Game 1 home shutout on April 18).

Carolina enters as the clear favorite with superior regular-season metrics, elite home dominance, and playoff experience. Ottawa is the gritty wild-card squad making its return to the postseason.

Recent Team Forms

Hurricanes: Rolling into the playoffs with one of the league’s strongest finishes and a perfect 7-0 record in recent postseason openers. They blanked Ottawa 2-0 in Game 1 behind Frederik Andersen’s 22-save shutout. Carolina went 8-1-1 in its last 10 regular-season games, averaging strong defensive structure and timely scoring. At home, they are nearly unbeatable in low-event games.

Senators: Played competitive hockey down the stretch (6-3-1 in last 10) but were stifled in Game 1. Ottawa relied on physicality and speed but generated limited high-danger chances against Carolina’s system. They are 0-1 in the series after a shutout loss, but the young core (led by Brady Tkachuk’s physical presence) showed fight. Road form has been respectable but faces a tall task against the East’s top seed.

Game 1 recap: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0. Logan Stankoven opened the scoring; Taylor Hall added the insurance goal with an assist from Jackson Blake. Frederik Andersen earned the shutout. Ottawa’s top-pair defenseman Artem Zub exited early after a collision and did not return.

Injury Report

Ottawa Senators:

Artem Zub (D) – Day-to-day/Questionable (undisclosed injury from Game 1 collision; left after one shift in the second period; coach Travis Green had no update post-game, with further evaluation expected).

Nick Jensen (D) – OUT (lower body, out for the season).

Tyler Kleven (D) – Day-to-day (upper body from prior to playoffs).

Carolina Hurricanes:

No reported injuries. Fully healthy on the blue line and up front; no scratches of note beyond healthy depth options (e.g., Nicolas Deslauriers as a scratch).

Carolina holds a significant advantage in lineup continuity and depth for Game 2.

Player Matchups to Watch

Goaltending Battle (Series Decider):

Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen (veteran playoff experience; 22-save shutout in Game 1). He earned the nod over Brandon Bussi for Game 1 due to experience and is expected to start again—his composure and rebound control were elite.

Senators: Likely Linus Ullmark (or primary starter); Ottawa’s netminding must improve dramatically after being shut out. The Sens’ goaltending has been solid in stretches but faces Carolina’s stingy defense.

Forward Lines & Key Skaters:

Hurricanes’ system vs. Senators’ youth: Carolina features Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal (veteran leadership), Logan Stankoven (Game 1 hero with goal + assist), Taylor Hall, and Jackson Blake. Their relentless forecheck and structure overwhelmed Ottawa in Game 1.

Senators’ stars: Brady Tkachuk (physical leader with heavy hits in Game 1), Tim Stützle (dynamic playmaker), and the young core thrive on speed and counter-punches. They must generate more sustained pressure 5-on-5.

Defensemen: Hurricanes’ mobile blue line (healthy and deep) controls the pace. Senators’ top pair is weakened if Zub misses time; depth defensemen will be tested.

Special Teams & Style: Carolina edges in efficiency and discipline. Expect a heavy, structured game with battles along the walls—Hurricanes excel at suppressing shots, while Ottawa will look for odd-man rushes and physicality to disrupt.

Series History & Head-to-Head

This is the first-ever playoff series between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes. No prior postseason meetings. 2025-26 regular-season head-to-head: Mixed results (Hurricanes 2-1-0 edge overall; Senators took one 6-3 win late in the season).
All-time regular season: Hurricanes dominate (roughly 67-44-8-3 across 122+ games).
Playoff context: New matchup, but Carolina’s experience (multiple deep runs) contrasts with Ottawa’s youthful hunger. Game 1 was a low-event defensive masterclass favoring the home team’s structure.

Betting Trends

Hurricanes are dominant home favorites (strong record as -140 or better) and 7-0 in recent playoff openers.

Senators are respectable underdogs on the road but 0-1 after Game 1 shutout.

Playoff unders have hit in low-scoring affairs like Game 1; totals trend under in Carolina’s home postseason games.

Historical H2H leans toward fewer goals when these teams meet in structured matchups.

Game Odds

Ottawa Senators              5.5

Carolina Hurricanes        – 148

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 19, 2026

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT
TV/Streaming: ESPN, NBCSP, SN-PIT (national and local broadcasts)

Team Records

Philadelphia Flyers (regular season): 43-27-12 (98 points), finished 2nd/3rd in the Metropolitan Division (exact seeding placed them as the lower seed in this matchup). Road record: 23-14-4.

Pittsburgh Penguins (regular season): 41-25-16 (98 points), 2nd in the Metropolitan Division. Home record: 20-13-8.

Playoff records (current series): Flyers 1-0 | Penguins 0-1 (PHI leads 1-0 after a 3-2 Game 1 road win on April 18).

Both teams earned identical point totals in a tightly contested Metropolitan Division, but the Flyers enter as the hotter squad with superior defensive metrics and road success.

Recent Team Forms

Flyers: One of the NHL’s hottest teams down the stretch, posting an 18-7-1 record (37 points, 2nd-best in the league) since the 2026 Winter Olympics break. They closed the regular season strong and stole Game 1 on the road, limiting Pittsburgh to just 17 shots while generating odd-man rushes and capitalizing on defensive lapses. Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games overall and an impressive 12-2 SU in its last 14 road contests.

Penguins: Solid regular-season form but struggled to sustain pressure in Game 1 despite home-ice advantage. Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense (3rd in NHL goals per game during the regular season) was held in check. The Penguins were 19-15 as favorites this season and have shown resilience at home, but they dropped Game 1 in a low-event, physical affair.

Game 1 recap: Flyers 3, Penguins 2. Goals from Jamie Drysdale, Travis Sanheim (game-tying/leading), and rookie Porter Martone (insurance). Penguins got goals from Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust (late). Dan Vladar was stellar for Philly; Stuart Skinner faced more rubber but allowed the late winner.

Injury Report

Philadelphia Flyers:

Nikita Grebenkin (RW) – OUT (upper body); not expected back until at least April 22–25.

Rodrigo Abols (C) – OUT (IR, fractured right ankle); out until at least May 2.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Peyton Kettles (D) – OUT (long-term, est. return September 2026).

Additional notes: Filip Hallander (C) out (leg); Caleb Jones (D) out for season (shoulder).

Both teams are otherwise relatively healthy for Game 2, though the absences impact depth on the wings (Flyers) and blue line (Penguins).

Player Matchups to Watch

Goaltending Battle (Key to the Series):

Flyers: Dan Vladar (career-best 29-14-7, 2.42 GAA, .906 SV% in 52 games; .923 even-strength SV%). He was the Flyers’ MVP this season and earned his first career playoff win in Game 1 (14 saves). Expect him to start again—his composure under pressure has been elite.

Penguins: Stuart Skinner (12-9-5 with PIT, 2.99 GAA, .885 SV% post-trade). He has significant playoff experience (former Oilers starter) but was beaten on quality chances in Game 1. Skinner’s variability is a known factor; he can steal games or struggle with consistency.

Forward Lines & Key Skaters:

Flyers’ young core vs. Penguins’ veterans: Travis Konecny (team leader in points), Trevor Zegras (playmaking threat), Owen Tippett (speed/scoring), and rookie Porter Martone (already a Game 1 hero with the insurance goal). They thrive on counterattacks and odd-man rushes.

Penguins’ stars: Sidney Crosby (still elite at 38), Evgeni Malkin (Game 1 point producer), Bryan Rust (Flyer-killer historically; late goal in G1), and Anthony Mantha. Pittsburgh’s top-six depth is a strength, but they were outplayed 5-on-5 in Game 1.

Defensemen: Flyers’ Travis Sanheim (Game 1 go-ahead goal) and Jamie Drysdale provide mobility and offense from the back end. Penguins’ Erik Karlsson (offensive dynamo) must generate more without being exposed defensively.

Special Teams: Penguins hold a slight edge in regular-season PP/PK efficiency, but the Flyers’ 5-on-5 structure and penalty-kill aggression neutralized Pittsburgh in Game 1. Expect heavy physicality along the walls and battles in front of the nets.

Series History & Head-to-Head

This is the 8th playoff meeting between these longtime rivals (Battle of Pennsylvania). The Flyers hold a slight historical postseason edge (4-3 series wins), but the Penguins won the most recent series (2018 First Round, 4-2) and three of the last four playoff matchups overall. 2025-26 regular-season head-to-head: Penguins went 2-0-2 against the Flyers.
All-time regular season: Penguins dominate (155-120-44).

Playoff context: The 2018 series was the last time these teams met in the postseason; Pittsburgh has not won a playoff series since. Game 1 was a defensive, low-shot affair that favored Philadelphia’s structure.

Betting Trends

Flyers are 28-32 as underdogs this season but have covered well on the road and are red-hot (7-1 SU last 8).

Penguins are 19-15 as favorites but went 10-2 when favored by -152 or better—yet they were held to low shots in Game 1.

Road underdogs like the Flyers have performed well in low-scoring, physical playoff openers.

Historical: The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 road games vs. Pittsburgh.

Game Odds

Philadelphia Flyers         6.5

Pittsburgh Penguins       – 155

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 19, 2026