Sidney Crosby, Penguins aim to extend season again vs. Flyers. Mammoth look for 3-1 lead on Golden Knights

Apr 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates back to the bench after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline/Eric Hartline-Imagn Images At one point, Sidney Crosby could have seen more of himself on an interstate billboard than on a playoff highlight reel for the Penguins. Ask anyone who has followed his career, the two-time NHL MVP doesn’t stay down for long.

Crosby responded like a captain should with his Pittsburgh Penguins in a 0-3 series hole to the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, notching his first goal, an assist and a screen that set up longtime teammate Kris Letang’s crucial goal in a 4-2 series-extending win. “With every game of the series, it’s more difficult,” Crosby said. “But we’ve got some life and we’ve got to take advantage of the opportunity of going back home now.

” The 38-year-old Crosby, now in his 21st NHL season, long had tormented the Flyers. He has more points against them than any other player has scored against Philadelphia, along with thrice raising the Stanley Cup since the Flyers won their two titles in 1974 and 1975. He still has to absorb the boos and profane chants directed at him from the moment he hits the ice for warmups to his final shift.

The sports travel group Phans of Philly even paid for a billboard of Crosby lying face down on the ice along with the definition of embellishment after he was penalized for it in Game 3. And he managed one assist through the first three games. But he made a heads-up play when he kicked the puck to Letang and also set a savvy screen on defenseman Travis Sanheim, allowing Letang to have a clean look when beating Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar for a 3-1 third-period lead.