How Flyers have plunged Penguins into 3-0 series hole
The Philadelphia Flyers have taken a 3-0 lead in their first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here's why:
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin being back in the NHL playoffs after a three-year absence is considered a boost for television ratings. But unless the Pittsburgh Penguins can turn things around on Saturday, April 25, their time in the 2026 postseason will be a short one. The Philadelphia Flyers are on the verge of sweeping the cross-state rival Penguins after a 5-2 victory on Wednesday, April 22.
The Flyers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They won both games in Pittsburgh before winning at home on Wednesday for a 3-0 series lead. Only four NHL teams have overcome that big a deficit to win a series.
Here's why the Flyers have a big lead in their first round series: Flyers entered the series with momentum Philadelphia was nine points out of a playoff spot on March 10 but went 12-4 down the stretch to finish third in the Metropolitan Division. They have carried that momentum into this series. Sidney Crosby is being limited The Flyers have been using defenseman Travis Sanheim against Crosby, his Canadian Olympic teammate.
Sanheim and company have been playing a physical game against the Penguins captain. He cross-checked Crosby several times late in Game 2, drawing a retaliatory slash. Crosby picked up his first point on Wednesday.