Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesCharles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesThe 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, 2026Porter Martone then put the game on ice, and would eventually be much-needed insurance, after a stop, spin, and snipe goal. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: 19-year-olds don’t do that sort of thing.

Defensively, they shut down a future Hall-of-Fame loaded offensive team. What game for the Flyers. Read More: Flyers Steal Game 1 After Battle With Penguins on SaturdayObservations from the Flyers’ Game 1 winFlyers pushed through the intense physicality The physicality was high from the start.

Whether it was the big hits, strong play along the boards, or even the extracurriculars, it was an intense game. The Flyers have a relatively small team. Players like Denver Barkey, Emil Andrae, and even Jamie Drysdale at times can be at a disadvantage, especially against bigger players.

That did not matter on Saturday. Both Andrae and Barkey played strong, confident games. They beat out bigger and stronger opponents and even made some hits themselves.

On the flip side, Sean Couturier stepped up big, delivering some big hits and getting his team involved. He was mentioned by a few players after the game, highlighting his physicality and how important it was to the team’s effort. Flyers’ missed opportunities limited the scoreThe Flyers won 3-2.

Scoring three goals was a pretty good start. With the goaltending they have been getting, 3 should be enough to win a game. It was on Saturday, but it could have been more.

Stuart Skinner played a heck of a game for Pittsburgh. It was the exact kind of performance the Penguins needed from their goalie. He just did not have the goal support.

The Flyers had multiple breakaways, odd-man rushes, and clean looks. They could not score on the power play, but who is shocked there? Before the second period was over, the Flyers could have, and probably should have had a multi-goal lead.

While they did score twice in the third, even that number should have been higher. They got away with it on Saturday because Dan Vladar was great once again. However, they are not going to be able to win the series and not convert on those grade-A chances.

The mental gameI have to give credit to the Pittsburgh crowd on Saturday. They were loud, engaged, and relentless from warmups until the final buzzer. Even when the Flyers went up 3-1 with less than 3 minutes to play, the Penguins’ fans did not quit.

That sort of thing can play mental games with the opposition. Especially with a team as young and inexperienced as the Flyers, that kind of crowd can be dangerous. It did not seem like the crowd or the moment was too much for the Flyers and their young core.

The mental game was strong from the Flyers. They were unbothered by the crowd, and they did not really bite, too often anyway, on the Penguins’ attempts to get under their skin. On the flip side, it seemed like at times the Flyers got under Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby’s skin, especially Crosby, late in the game.

If the Flyers can keep the two future Hall of Famers off their A-game, there is a real chance for the series. Flyers not getting too excitedYou can tell a lot about a team based on their reaction to a win like Saturday’s. It was a big, playoff win against their cross-state rival.

Not many people expect the Flyers to win the series, so stealing Game 1 was a big win, telling the world that they’re for real here. In most cases, a win like that is cause for celebration. If you were to guess the result of the game based on the locker room postgame, you’d think th