The Flyer-Penguins Rivalry. The battle of Pennsylvania. The big game is coming to a close and the players are fighting. Flyers Head Coach Peter Laviolette and Penguins Assistant Coach Tony Granato are yelling over the glass. April 1, 2012 was the game with one of the biggest fights between the teams. Both teams are in the NHL Eastern Conference Metropolitan Division. This rivalry had been going on since October 19, 1967. The teams have played a total of 350 games against each other. They have now played 3 games in the 23-24 season. The Philadelphia Flyers took on the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on Monday, January 8, 2024. The Flyers had been ahead in the season series, 2-0 before this game, but now lead 2-1.
The Penguins started the game hot. Within the first 45 seconds, a goal was scored by Rickard Rakell, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel. This was a power-play goal (PPG). The score was now 1-0 Penguins. They followed up their previous goal with another. Scored by Erik Karlsson, assisted by Jansen Harkins and Jeff Carter. The goal was scored 7:37 minutes into the first period, making the score 2-0 Penguins. The Flyers follow up the Penguins with a goal scored by Owen Tippett, assisted by Egor Zamula and Joel Farabee. This PPG was scored 14:55 minutes into the first period.
There were seven penalties served during the first period. Sean Couturier (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for tripping at 19:32. Jansen Harkins (Penguins) served two minutes minor for hooking at 12:51. Travis Sanheim (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for roughing at 16:05. Nick Seeler (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for elbowing at 9:24. Jansen Harkins (Penguins) served a two-minute minor for tripping at 5:21. Cam Atkinson (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for interference-goaltender at 4:23. Ryan Poehling (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for delaying game at 2:06. The first period comes to a close.
The second period is slow, scoring-wise. The Penguins put another goal on the board at 8:07. Goal scored by Chad Ruhwedel, assisted by Bryan Rust and Ryan Graves. The score sitting at 3-1 at the end of the second period.
There were zero penalties served for the second period.
Evgeni Malkin makes the final score 4-1 at 4:29 of the third period. Drew O’Connor assisted this goal.
There were four penalties served in the third period. Garnet Hathaway (Flyers) served a four-minute minor (double minor) for high-sticking at 14:17. Kris Letang (Penguins) also served a penalty at 14:17. This was a two-minute minor for roughing. Scott Laughton (Flyers) served a two-minute minor for roughing at 13:51. Evgeni Malkin (Penguins) also served a two-minute minor for roughing at 13:51. The period and game came to an end.
The Penguins are in the running but still trailing the Flyers 2-1 in their series this season. The Penguins and Flyers will have their next match on February 25th at 3:30.
