Penguins vs. Flyers: Projected Lineups, Key Notes Ahead of Keystone Clash
The Battle of Pennsylvania is back tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-5) head east to face the Philadelphia Flyers (14-7-3) in a rivalry matchup that rarely disappoints. Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, and both teams are coming in with plenty of storylines, lineup tweaks, and young talent worth keeping an eye on.
Let’s break down the projected lineups and what to watch for on both sides.
Pittsburgh Penguins Projected Lineup
Forwards
- Kevin Hayes - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
- Tommy Novak - Evgeni Malkin - Anthony Mantha
- Rutger McGroarty - Ben Kindel - Ville Koivunen
- Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Bokondji Imama
Defensemen
- Ryan Shea - Kris Letang
- Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson
- Ryan Graves - Connor Clifton
Goaltenders
- Tristan Jarry
- Arturs Silovs
Scratches: Joona Koppanen, Mathew Dumba
Injured: Rickard Rakell (hand), Caleb Jones (lower body), Justin Brazeau (upper body), Noel Acciari (upper body), Filip Hallander (blood clot)
Penguins Notes
Pittsburgh’s lineup sees a couple of fresh faces tonight.
Forwards Rutger McGroarty and Bokondji Imama have been recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and are expected to make their season debuts. McGroarty brings a high-motor, physical game with a touch of offensive upside, while Imama adds grit and energy on the fourth line.
The top six remains anchored by the usual suspects - Sidney Crosby continues to center Kevin Hayes and Bryan Rust, a trio that’s found chemistry with Hayes bringing size and veteran savvy to the wing. Evgeni Malkin gets Tommy Novak and Anthony Mantha on his flanks, a line that could be sneaky productive if Mantha finds his scoring touch.
On the blue line, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang continue to split time across the top four, giving Pittsburgh a dynamic puck-moving presence on both pairings. With Mathew Dumba scratched, Ryan Shea stays in the lineup, slotting next to Letang.
Philadelphia Flyers Projected Lineup
Forwards
- Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Bobby Brink
- Trevor Zegras - Christian Dvorak - Owen Tippett
- Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Travis Konecny
- Nikita Grebenkin - Rodrigo Abols - Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
- Cam York - Travis Sanheim
- Emil Andrae - Jamie Drysdale
- Nick Seeler - Noah Juulsen
Goaltenders
- Dan Vladar
- Samuel Ersson
Scratches: Nicolas Deslauriers, Egor Zamula, Adam Ginning
Injured: Rasmus Ristolainen (triceps)
Flyers Notes
The Flyers are riding high after a 5-3 win over the Devils, and they’ll look to keep that momentum going tonight.
One lineup change to watch: Noah Juulsen is expected to draw back in on the third pair, replacing Egor Zamula. Juulsen brings a more stay-at-home style that complements Nick Seeler’s physical play.
Up front, Matvei Michkov continues to be must-watch hockey. The rookie phenom has been electric alongside Sean Couturier and Bobby Brink, combining elite puck skills with a fearless approach in tight areas. Trevor Zegras, who’s still getting acclimated in Philly, centers a second line with Christian Dvorak and Owen Tippett - a group that has the potential to generate offense in bunches if they can establish zone time.
The Flyers’ bottom six remains gritty and hard to play against, with Garnet Hathaway and Rodrigo Abols bringing the forecheck pressure and Tyson Foerster looking to add secondary scoring.
In net, Dan Vladar is expected to get the start, with Samuel Ersson backing up. Vladar’s calm presence in the crease has helped stabilize things during a stretch where the Flyers have leaned heavily on defensive structure.
What to Watch
- Debuts in Black and Gold: All eyes will be on McGroarty and Imama as they make their season debuts for Pittsburgh. Can they inject some youthful energy into the bottom six?
- Michkov’s Magic: The Flyers’ top-line winger has been dazzling with the puck. His creativity and vision will test a Penguins defense that’s still finding its rhythm.
- Blue Line Battle: With Karlsson and Letang on one side and York and Drysdale on the other, this game could feature a lot of end-to-end action fueled by mobile defensemen.
- Special Teams Swing: In a rivalry game like this, the power play and penalty kill could tip the scales. Both teams have had streaky special teams performances this season - whoever wins that battle tonight may walk away with two points.
It’s another chapter in one of the NHL’s most storied rivalries. With youth stepping into the spotlight and veterans still driving the bus, this Penguins-Flyers showdown has all the makings of a classic.