Penguins Power Past Flyers Behind Special Teams Surge, Jarry’s Steady Play
The Pittsburgh Penguins rolled into Philadelphia on Monday night and left with a convincing 5-1 win, thanks to a dominant showing on special teams and another strong outing from goaltender Tristan Jarry. It was a game that featured everything from highlight-reel passing plays to penalty kill grit - and a few of those classic Penguins-Flyers fireworks.
Let’s break it down.
Pregame Notes: Fresh Faces in the Lineup
Before the puck even dropped, the Penguins continued their youth movement. Rutger McGroarty became the 10th rookie to suit up for Pittsburgh this season, while Boko Imama made his season debut. On the blue line, Connor Clifton stepped in for Matt Dumba, and Tristan Jarry got the start in net.
First Period: Crosby Capitalizes Early
The Flyers came out with some jump, but Jarry was sharp from the opening faceoff, turning away a handful of quality chances. That steadiness gave Pittsburgh the breathing room it needed to settle in.
Things got chippy early - as they often do in this rivalry. Garnet Hathaway delivered a late, high hit on Blake Lizotte, and Lizotte responded with a retaliatory stick jab that earned him a trip to the penalty box. The Penguins killed it off, keeping the game scoreless.
But not for long.
Dan Vladar, who’s been solid for Philadelphia this season, coughed up a rebound in the worst possible spot - right in front of Sidney Crosby. And when you give Crosby a gift like that, he doesn’t return it. He buried the chance to put Pittsburgh up 1-0.
The Penguins carried that lead into the break, with Crosby’s goal standing as the period’s only tally. Shots were close - 8-7 - but the scoreboard belonged to the visitors.
Second Period: Special Teams Take Over
The middle frame was all about special teams, and it started with a rough stretch for Pittsburgh.
The Penguins took three penalties in under two minutes, including an accidental high stick from Kris Letang that gave the Flyers a lengthy 5-on-3. Philadelphia finally broke through on the man advantage, tying the game at 1-1.
But the hockey gods - or maybe just the refs - evened things out quickly. After four straight power plays for Philly, Pittsburgh got its first, and the response was swift. The Penguins' top unit went to work, and it was Crosby again, striking to make it 2-1.
Then came another Flyers penalty, this time from Sean Couturier in the offensive zone - a costly mistake. Bryan Rust made them pay, ripping a pinpoint shot just inside the post.
No screen, no deflection, just pure accuracy. Suddenly, it was 3-1.
That two-goal swing in under a minute showcased the difference in special teams. The Flyers’ penalty kill, which has been a strength this season, couldn’t hold up against the Penguins’ high-octane power play.
Third Period: Penguins Seal the Deal
Pittsburgh came out flying in the third, nearly tacking on another early. Crosby had a chance in tight, followed by a good look from Connor Dewar. The pressure finally led to a goal - or so it seemed.
Anthony Mantha threw a puck on net that deflected off Evgeni Malkin and in. But the Flyers challenged for goalie interference.
Malkin had minimal contact in the crease, and Vladar appeared to initiate some of it with a glove push. Still, the officials overturned the goal, keeping it 3-1.
Philadelphia got a power play shortly after - their last real chance to claw back - but couldn’t generate anything meaningful. From there, the Penguins took control.
Kris Letang found Tommy Novak in the slot late in the game, and Novak’s shot took a deflection off a Flyers defender and floated past Vladar. That made it 4-1, and this time, it counted.
To cap it off, Parker Wotherspoon delivered a perfect stretch pass to Kevin Hayes, who broke in alone and beat Vladar with a slick backhand for his first goal of the season - and fittingly, it came against the team still carrying $3.5 million of his cap hit. A little poetic justice to make it 5-1.
Final Thoughts: Special Teams & Steady Goaltending Carry the Day
This one was a textbook Penguins win: elite power play, strong goaltending, and timely goals from their stars.
Tristan Jarry was excellent again, stopping all but one of Philadelphia’s 2.74 expected goals (per Moneypuck). He was steady early when the Flyers pushed and dependable late when they tried to mount a comeback.
On the other side, Pittsburgh’s power play was lethal - three goals on their first three opportunities, each one a clinic in puck movement and finishing. Against a Flyers PK that’s been one of the best in the league, that’s no small feat.
The game wasn’t without its quirks. Tyson Foerster left the game after injuring himself on a one-timer - something you don’t see every day.
And the overturned Malkin goal? Another reminder that goalie interference remains one of the NHL’s most inconsistent calls.
Rookies like McGroarty and Kindel showed some flashes, especially considering they’d barely skated together before the morning skate. Kindel nearly scored off a McGroarty feed in the second, and both looked comfortable in limited minutes.
And while it didn’t end in a fight, the Hathaway-Imama subplot added some edge. When Hathaway drove the net and found Imama waiting, he wisely backed off - and Rick Tocchet made sure to keep them separated the rest of the way.
Bottom Line
The Penguins are finding their formula this season - and it’s working. Jarry’s goaltending, a power play that can flip a game in seconds, and a veteran core that still knows how to take over when it matters.
In a rivalry that rarely lacks emotion, Pittsburgh delivered the kind of performance that silences a Philly crowd. And that’s always a little extra sweet.