The Penguins have been wearing their yellow third jerseys at home in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Flyers. Justin Berl / Getty Images
April 28, 2026Updated 4:43 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH — If the Penguins force Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers, they’ll again wear the yellow third jerseys they’ve worn at home throughout the first round.
The Penguins opened the Stanley Cup playoffs wearing their yellow alternates in Game 1 and again wore them at home in Game 2 and Game 5. Why? Team sources said the NHL didn’t force Pittsburgh to wear them, but rather, the Penguins asked and received permission from the league before the series.
The Penguins haven’t publicly said why they chose to wear their yellow uniforms during this series. From a business perspective, it’s easy to conclude that they saw an economic opportunity because third jerseys typically sell well, and wearing them in the playoffs is a good opportunity to showcase them. Fans online have expressed confusion and dislike for the yellow uniforms before each game.
If the Penguins pull off a stunning comeback — they were down 3-0 in the series and won two straight to make it 3-2 — and advance past the Flyers, they can return to their traditional home black uniforms for their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, if they so choose. The NHL confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday that teams are not allowed to change uniforms during a series once they pick a set. Teams may change at the beginning of each series but not mid-series.
The Penguins have pulled alternates out of their closets before, notably in the 2021 and the 1996 postseasons. In 1996, they reached the Eastern Conference finals wearing their alternate jerseys in road games but their traditional home whites. In 2021, the Penguins wore their third jerseys at home when they lost to the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs.
The Dallas Stars are the only other NHL team wearing their alternate third jerseys at home during the first round.
Apr 28, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle