Updated April 18, 2026, 7:58 p.m. ET
The Battle of Pennsylvania is back.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in the NHL playoffs after a three-year absence and the Philadelphia Flyers have ended a five-year drought.
They are meeting in the postseason for the first time since 2018, a series that the Penguins won in six games.
Both teams reached the playoffs after making coaching changes. Dan Muse replaced Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh in the offseason, and Rick Tocchet, a former Flyers player, was hired in Philadelphia. John Tortorella and Brad Shaw coached the Flyers last season.
USA will be providing live coverage of Game 1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers first-round series. Follow along:
Game 1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers first round series will be played at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 18 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Watch NHL playoff hockey on FuboPenguins vs. Flyers: How to watch, streamDate: Saturday, April 18Time: 8 p.m. ETTV: ESPNStreaming: ESPN+, Fubo Penguins lineup Penguins vs. Flyers season series
Each team had two wins in the season series. The Flyers’ wins were in shootouts.
Stuart Skinner starting in Penguins net
Coach Dan Muse announced that Stuart Skinner would start Game 1 against the Flyers. He was acquired in the Tristan Jarry trade and had taken the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Arturs Silovs will back up.
Hurricanes beat Senators in Game 1
Frederik Andersen got the start and made 22 saves in a 2-0 victory. Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall each had a goal and an assist.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and Hurricanes counterpart Jordan Staal dropped the gloves off the opening faceoff.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers playoff scheduleGame 1: April 18. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 8, ESPNGame 2: April 20, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7, ESPNGame 3: April 22. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7, ESPNGame 4: April 25. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 8, TBS, truTVx-Game 5: April 27. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBDx-Game 6: April 29. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBDx-Game 7: May 2. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD