The Philadelphia Flyers (22-15-8, 52 points, 5th in Metropolitan Division) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-10, 52 points, 4th in Metropolitan Division) in a Metropolitan Division rivalry matchup. Both teams are tied in points and fighting for playoff positioning, but Pittsburgh enters on a three-game losing streak while Philadelphia looks to capitalize on a back-to-back scenario. The Penguins have dominated recent head-to-heads at home, but the Flyers’ recent defensive improvements could make this a tight contest.
Venue Location
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA (Capacity: 18,387).
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST (Broadcast: ESPN).
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with notable absences, particularly on defense for Pittsburgh and in goaltending depth for Philadelphia, which could lead to increased ice time for backups and impact special teams.
Philadelphia Flyers:
G Dan Vladar (undisclosed/lower body): Day-to-day; left last game after allowing two goals, game-time decision.
D Rasmus Ristolainen (undisclosed): Out; expected return January 17.
RW Bobby Brink (upper body): Out; expected return January 17.
RW Tyson Foerster (arm): Out for the season; underwent surgery.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
D Erik Karlsson (lower body): Out; placed on IR, expected return January 19.
RW Rutger McGroarty (concussion): Out; on IR, expected return January 19.
C Filip Hallander (leg): Out; expected return TBD.
D Caleb Jones (undisclosed): Out; on IR, expected return January 25.
D Peyton Kettles (undisclosed): Out; expected return September 15 (long-term).
LW Tanner Howe (ACL): Out; expected return TBD.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch
This rivalry often brings intensity, with key battles in the neutral zone and around the net. Focus on offensive stars against defensive anchors amid injuries.
C Sean Couturier (PHI) vs. C Sidney Crosby (PIT): Couturier (defensive center, ~15 points) excels at shutting down top lines. Crosby (leading PIT with ~50 points, 1.11 PPG) is a playmaking sniper with speed and vision.
RW Travis Konecny (PHI) vs. D Kris Letang (PIT): Konecny (30 points, high shot volume) brings grit and finishing. Letang (25 points, 23:45 TOI/game) anchors PIT’s blue line with physicality and transition play.
LW Trevor Zegras (PHI) vs. C Evgeni Malkin (PIT): Zegras (creative scorer, 25 points) could exploit gaps with skill. Malkin (40 points, power-play threat) counters with size and shot.
G Samuel Ersson (PHI) vs. G Arturs Silovs (PIT): Ersson (~.895 SV%, likely starter with Vladar hurt) faces ~28 shots/game. Silovs (recent form) benefits from PIT’s structure.
Recent Team Forms
Philadelphia Flyers (5-4-1 in last 10 games, -3 goal differential): The Flyers have been streaky, averaging 3.1 goals/game in their last 10 while allowing 3.4. Road form: 10-7-4. They’re coming off a 2-5 loss to Buffalo on Jan. 14.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 14 | @ BUF | L 2-5 |
| Jan 12 | vs TBL | L 1-5 |
| Jan 10 | vs TBL | L 2-7 |
| Jan 8 | vs TOR | L 1-2 (OT) |
| Jan 6 | vs ANA | W 5-2 |
| Jan 3 | @ EDM | W 5-2 |
| Dec 29 | @ CGY | W 4-3 (OT) |
| Dec 27 | vs VAN | L 3-4 (SO) |
| Dec 23 | @ SEA | W 5-4 (OT) |
| Dec 21 | vs SEA | L 3-4 |
Pittsburgh Penguins (6-3-1 in last 10 games, +9 goal differential): The Penguins have cooled after a hot streak, averaging 3.4 goals/game in their last 10 while allowing 2.5. Home form: 10-7-6. They’re on a three-game losing streak after a 1-2 SO loss to Tampa Bay on Jan. 13.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 13 | vs TBL | L 1-2 (SO) |
| Jan 11 | @ BOS | L 0-1 |
| Jan 10 | vs CGY | L 1-2 |
| Jan 8 | vs NJD | W 4-1 |
| Jan 4 | @ CBJ | W 5-4 (OT) |
| Jan 3 | vs DET | W 4-1 |
| Jan 1 | vs DET | W 4-3 (OT) |
| Dec 28 | @ NYI | L 2-4 |
| Dec 23 | vs TOR | L 3-6 |
| Dec 21 | vs MTL | W 4-3 |
Series History
The Flyers lead the all-time series 168-105-30-14 (regular season) against the Penguins, with a 189-125-30-14 overall record including playoffs. In postseason play, Philadelphia holds a 21-20 edge. Pittsburgh has won 5 of the last 8 meetings, but Philadelphia is 6-3-1 in the last 10 overall. At PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins are 43-107-8 vs. the Flyers. Recent games average 6.46 goals, trending over in 7 of the last 10.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: PIT is 11-7 as home favorites; PHI is 6-10 as road underdogs.
Puck Line (Spread): PIT covers 50% as favorites; PHI covers 45% as underdogs.
Total (Over/Under): Over has hit in 5 of PIT’s last 10 (avg. 5.9 goals/game) and 6 of PHI’s last 10 (avg. 6.5). Head-to-head leans over (7 of last 10 over 6).
Trends: Penguins are 6-3-1 in last 10 but 0-2-1 in last 3; Flyers are 5-4-1 in last 10 but 2-3 on road lately. PIT is 5-3 vs. PHI in last 8; PHI is 1-4 in last 5 at PPG Paints Arena.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 6.5
Pittsburgh Penguins – 166
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 14, 2026
