Flyers Postgame Blog: High Physicality, Missed Opportunites, & The Mental Game
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Flyers did something that few people expected. They went to Pittsburgh for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and stole a crucial 3- 2 game from the Penguins. The Flyers took the big 1-0 series win, and could take full control of the series on Monday.
It was exactly what you’d expect from a playoff edition of the Keystone State Rivalry. There was a ton of physicality, mental games being played, and a lot of hatred. You could not have asked for a better start to the series.
The first period of Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth, trading massive hits and scoring chances. Nothing broke through in the first, but the energy was building for a great game. In the second, the Flyers took the lead after a great score initiated by a good play along the boards by Owen Tippett before Trevor Zegras found Jamie Drysdale for the goal.
However, the Penguins gave a great effort. They were pushing to even the score, and eventually did after Evgeni Malkin made the Flyers play for not clearing the puck after a long rebound was allowed. The Flyers took the lead with Travis Sanheim scoring a great goal from the slot, set up by a great leading pass from Rasmus Ristiolainen.
Rasmus Ristolainen on Travis Sanheim’s goal to make it 2-1: “Yeah, not bad. I don’t think many players can do that in that moment, third period, even game, and obviously made a hell of a play. ” #IgniteTheOrange — Will James (@wmjsports) April 19, 2026 Porter Martone then put the game on ice, and would eventually be much-needed insurance, after a stop, spin, and snipe goal.
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