Flyers vs. Penguins Preview: Rivalry Sparks Fly Again in South Philly
There’s nothing like a Flyers-Penguins matchup to bring the heat-and tonight in South Philly, that rivalry gets another chapter. The Philadelphia Flyers (14-7-3), fresh off a strong 3-1-0 road trip, return to Xfinity Mobile Arena to host the Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-5) in what could be a feisty showdown between two teams that don’t need much of a reason to dislike each other.
Flyers Riding Momentum into a Heated Homecoming
The Flyers are coming off a four-game swing where they picked up wins against Florida, the Islanders, and New Jersey, with their only stumble coming against Tampa Bay. That stretch has them riding a wave of confidence, having won four of their last five.
It’s not just the wins-it’s how they’re winning. The team is getting contributions up and down the lineup, and the structure under head coach Rick Tocchet is starting to show through in the consistency of their play.
Tonight marks their first game back home, and it comes against a Penguins squad that’s still licking its wounds from a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Maple Leafs. Pittsburgh has gone 2-2-1 in its last five, and while they’ve shown flashes, they’ve also struggled to find rhythm night to night.
Last Time? Fireworks.
This Time? Buckle Up.
The last meeting between these two had everything: overtime drama, not one but two disallowed game-winners, and a pre-shootout scuffle that left both benches short-handed for the final skills competition. The Flyers came out on top 3-2 in the shootout, but honestly, the score felt secondary.
What really mattered? The rivalry felt alive again.
And based on the roster moves leading into tonight, both teams know it.
The Penguins called up Boko Imama and Rutger McGroarty ahead of this one-moves that feel less about scoring depth and more about setting a tone. Imama, in particular, brings a physical presence that could be Pittsburgh’s response to the Flyers’ gritty forward group.
With that in mind, it’s worth noting that Rick Tocchet is sticking with Nikita Grebenkin in the lineup, keeping veteran enforcer Nick Deslauriers out-at least for now. But with emotions likely to run high, don’t be surprised if that changes come puck drop.
Tocchet also confirmed Dan Vladar will get the start in net, with a decision between Egor Zamula and Noah Juulsen on defense to come closer to game time. Juulsen might have the edge in a game that could get chippy.
Flyers Projected Lineup vs. Penguins
Forwards
- Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Travis Konecny
- Owen Tippett - Christian Dvorak - Trevor Zegras
- Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Bobby Brink
- Nikita Grebenkin - Rodrigo Abols - Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
- Cam York - Travis Sanheim
- Emil Andrae - Jamie Drysdale
- Nick Seeler - Noah Juulsen
Goaltenders
- Dan Vladar (starter)
- Sam Ersson
Special Teams Setup
Power Play Units:
- PP1: Sanheim, Cates, Zegras, Foerster, Konecny
- PP2: York, Andrae, Brink, Tippett, Michkov
Penalty Kill Units:
- PK1: Couturier, Dvorak, Seeler, Sanheim
- PK2: Cates, Foerster, York, Juulsen
What to Watch
This isn’t just another Monday night game. This is Flyers vs.
Penguins, with a little extra edge. The Flyers are rolling, the Penguins are looking for a response, and the last time they shared the ice, it nearly boiled over.
Both teams know what this game means-not just in the standings, but in the statement it sends. The Flyers are trying to prove they’re more than just a hot streak.
The Penguins are trying to show they can punch back after a tough loss. And if the last meeting was any indication, we’re in for another emotional, high-stakes battle.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST in South Philly.
Expect energy. Expect intensity.
And maybe, just maybe, expect a little chaos.