Penguins Dominate Flyers, But All Eyes on Blake Lizotte’s Controversial Retaliation
In a rivalry that rarely lacks fireworks, Monday night’s clash between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers delivered another chapter of hard hits, high emotions - and one moment that crossed the line.
Early in the first period, things got heated fast. Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway delivered a crushing hit from behind on Blake Lizotte, driving him into the boards and leaving the Penguins center with a bloodied nose.
It was the kind of reckless play that tends to spark retaliation - and Lizotte didn’t wait long. As he broke free from Hathaway’s grasp, Lizotte turned and jabbed his stick directly into Hathaway’s groin.
The Flyers forward dropped to the ice in immediate pain, and the officials quickly stepped in.
It was a shocking moment, even by NHL standards. Fights and scrums are part of the game, but a targeted shot below the belt? That’s a different kind of statement - and not one that’s likely to go unnoticed by the league office.
For Hathaway, this wasn’t unfamiliar territory. Last season, he took a similar low blow from Bokondji Imama, also while playing the Penguins. That incident forced him to leave the game, and Monday’s hit appeared to trigger some déjà vu.
But while the early-game drama made headlines, the Penguins made sure the scoreboard told the real story.
Crosby Makes History, Penguins Cruise to 5-1 Win
Sidney Crosby continues to show why he's still one of the most dangerous players in hockey. The Penguins captain scored twice in the win, pushing his career total to 59 goals against Philadelphia - the most by any player in NHL history against the Flyers. That stat alone would be enough to make Flyers fans groan, but it also marked Crosby’s 18th goal of the season, as he continues one of his most productive starts in recent memory.
Pittsburgh didn’t let up. Bryan Rust chipped in with a goal and two assists, while Tommy Novak and Kevin Hayes each found the back of the net. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson each tallied two assists, showing the kind of veteran playmaking that makes this Penguins team dangerous when they’re clicking.
And then there was Tristan Jarry. The Penguins netminder stopped 28 shots and looked sharp all night, frustrating the Flyers' attack and keeping Pittsburgh in full control from start to finish.
Where Things Stand
With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 13-7-5 on the season, good for 31 points and fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. It’s a tight race, but performances like this - where the stars shine and the depth contributes - are what the Penguins will need to keep pace in the East.
They’ll look to carry this momentum into Thursday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, another measuring-stick game as the calendar flips to December.
As for Lizotte’s retaliatory shot - expect the league to take a closer look. In a game that had everything from blood to brilliance, that moment may end up drawing the most scrutiny. But on the ice, the Penguins made a loud and clear statement: they’re not just here to stir up emotion - they’re here to win.