Philadelphia Flyers Lead Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 in First-Round NHL Playoffs The Philadelphia Flyers have taken a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, putting them one win away from advancing to the second round. The Flyers, who earned a playoff berth for the first time in over five years, have dominated their cross-state rivals in the 2026 postseason, with Game 3 marking a pivotal moment in the series. Game 4 of the series is set for April 25 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where the Flyers will host the Penguins at 8 p.m. ET. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and streamed via ESPN+, Hulu, and Max. If the series extends beyond four games, potential matchups include Game 5 on April 27 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Game 6 on April 29 back in Philadelphia, and a potential Game 7 on May 2 in Pittsburgh. The Flyers’ dominance in the series has been evident in their recent performances. In Game 3, the Flyers secured a 5-2 victory over the Penguins, with four players scoring their first career playoff goals. Rasmus Ristolainen opened the scoring with a powerplay goal, followed by contributions from Nick Seeler, Noah Cates, and Owen Tippett, who capped the game with an empty-net tally. The Flyers’ offensive surge came after a rocky first period, during which the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin scored a powerplay goal to put Pittsburgh ahead. However, the Flyers quickly turned the tide, with Trevor Zegras tying the game and Ristolainen taking control of the momentum. The series has also been marked by intense physical play and moments of controversy. In Game 3, Travis Konecny sparked a scrum with Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust, leading to a near brawl and 11 penalties.#philadelphia_flyers #ppg_paints_arena #xfinity_mobile_arena #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby
Alex Ovechkin Leaves Retirement Question Unanswered: 'I Haven't Decided Yet' WASHINGTON — As the sun set on a near-perfect April day at Capital One Arena, the Washington Capitals’ final regular-season game of the year unfolded under a sea of red. Fans, teammates, and opponents alike gathered to bid farewell to Alexander Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, whose potential retirement loomed like a shadow over the event. Yet, for Ovechkin himself, the moment was anything but a celebration. The 40-year-old star, whose career has spanned two decades of dominance, remained resolute in his indecision about whether to retire. “I haven’t decided yet,” he said dryly when asked why he declined to participate in Pittsburgh’s handshake line, a gesture typically reserved for players ending their careers. The atmosphere inside the arena was electric, with fans chanting “ONE MORE YEAR” and “OVI, OVI” as Ovechkin took the ice. Retrospective highlight reels played on the scoreboard, showcasing his storied career, including his legendary rivalry with Sidney Crosby. Dylan Strome, the Capitals’ young center, even intentionally got himself ejected from the opening faceoff to ensure Ovechkin and Crosby could square off, a symbolic nod to their historic feud. The crowd’s energy was palpable, a testament to Ovechkin’s legacy as a cultural icon in Washington. Yet, Ovechkin’s demeanor remained uncharacteristically subdued. While fans and media reveled in the spectacle of a farewell, the player himself seemed to exist in a liminal space. He declined to engage in the traditional send-off, choosing instead to focus on the game’s immediate stakes: keeping Washington’s playoff hopes alive.#washington_capitals #spencer_carbery #alex_ovechkin #capital_one_arena #sidney_crosby
Penguins vs Senators Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game The Ottawa Senators are favored to secure their fifth consecutive victory in a crucial regular-season matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to expert analysis. The game, set for Thursday, March 26, will be part of the Senators’ push to secure a playoff spot, while the Penguins aim to halt a recent losing streak. The prediction highlights the Senators’ strong performance in recent weeks, including a 4-0 shutout and a 3-2 win over the Penguins this season. The Senators have dominated the league since January 25, posting a 15-3-2 record and earning the second-most points in that span. Their success is largely attributed to their elite goaltending, with a 2.15 goals-against average, the best in the NHL. In contrast, the Penguins have struggled offensively, surrendering 11 goals in their last two games. The absence of key players like Evgeni Malkin and Anthony Mantha, two of Pittsburgh’s top scorers, is expected to further challenge their offensive output. The betting odds reflect the Senators’ dominance, with the moneyline favoring Ottawa at -145, while the Penguins are listed at +125. A puck line bet offers additional options, with the Senators -1.5 at +160 and the Penguins +1.5 at -190. Over/Under bets are also available, with the total set at 6.5 goals. Analysts suggest the Senators’ ability to capitalize on Pittsburgh’s short-handed situations will be a key factor in their favor. Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa’s top scorer, is a focal point of the game, having recorded five goals in his last 10 outings and two against the Penguins this season. Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, is expected to carry a heavier offensive load, with a projected 2.5 shots on goal line.#pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #ottawa_senators #canadian_tire_centre #brady_tkachuk
Game Preview: 03.26.26 vs. Ottawa Senators The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on March 26, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, with live audio available on 105.9 The X and the Penguins app. Pittsburgh enters the matchup with a record of 35-20-16, while Ottawa stands at 38-24-9. The Penguins have a strong historical edge against the Senators, posting points in 16 of their last 23 games (10-7-6) since March 23, 2017. Over a longer span dating back to January 27, 2013, the team has earned points in 28 of 37 contests (20-9-8). Four of the last five games between the teams at the Canadian Tire Centre have gone into overtime. Key players to watch include Justin Brazeau, who has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in five career games against Ottawa and is a plus-3 in those matchups. Rickard Rakell has points in nine of his last 10 games (4 goals, 7 assists). Captain Sidney Crosby is on a four-game point streak (1 goal, 4 assists) since returning from injury. Erik Karlsson, playing against his former team, has seven assists in 15 career games against the Senators. Stuart Skinner, the Penguins’ goaltender, has a 6-1-0 record in seven games against Ottawa, with a .903 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average. Head Coach Dan Muse has guided the Penguins to some of their most consistent play in the league this season. Under his leadership, the team has already surpassed last year’s win total through 71 games and has shown significant improvement in various categories. Crosby is also closing in on NHL history, needing two assists to become the eighth player to reach 1,100 career assists.#pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #ottawa_senators #sportsnet_pittsburgh #canadian_tire_centre
Pens Points: Back to Raleigh we go The Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained a strong performance despite the absence of key players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. A significant contributor to their recent success has been defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has delivered some of his best performances in a Pittsburgh jersey. Karlsson’s consistent play has helped stabilize the team’s defense, allowing the Penguins to remain competitive in their current standings. Malkin, however, has hinted at future discussions regarding his contract. During a post-game interview following a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Malkin stated that he and general manager Kyle Dubas plan to revisit his contract situation after the season. Both parties have agreed to delay any formal talks until the summer, prioritizing the completion of the current campaign. Malkin also expressed his intention to continue playing, potentially extending his career beyond the current season by another two years. The team’s forward depth faces a challenge with the injury to forward Blake Lizotte. The Penguins announced on Tuesday that Lizotte will miss an extended period and will undergo a re-evaluation in approximately four weeks. His absence could test the team’s ability to maintain offensive consistency, particularly in the bottom-six forward positions. Beyond the Penguins, the NHL has seen several notable developments. Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury. The Oilers will need to adjust their offensive strategy without one of their most dynamic players. At the NHL General Managers’ meetings, former enforcer George Parros took the opportunity to address the Department of Player Safety.#evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #erik_karlsson #kyle_dubas
Penguins Skate: No Crosby Yet, Several Updates and New Lines DENVER — The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice for their morning skate on Monday ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, but the team’s star player, Sidney Crosby, remained sidelined. Crosby, still recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain sustained during the Olympics, participated in line rushes with additional forwards Kevin Hayes and Avery Hayes. His absence continues as he works toward full recovery. The team welcomed back Evgeni Malkin, who rejoined the roster after serving a five-game suspension. Malkin’s return prompted coach Dan Muse to adjust the team’s lines, reuniting the Russian forward with fellow winger Egor Chinakhov and center Tommy Novak. This new trio is expected to provide a strong offensive presence in the upcoming game. Other notable updates included the absence of center Blake Lizotte, who was not present at the skate. Rookie Ville Koivunen remained in the lineup on the third line alongside center Ben Kindel and newly returned defenseman Justin Brazeau. Brazeau, who had been out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, took full line rushes during the skate, indicating his readiness to contribute. Former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard participated in the skate but was listed as a spare defenseman, suggesting limited role in the game. Meanwhile, the Penguins made roster adjustments by recalling defenseman Jack St. Ivany from his conditioning assignment with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. However, St. Ivany was not present at the skate, and the team sent Alex Alexeyev back to WBS in a corresponding move.#colorado_avalanche #evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #dan_muse
