Penguins vs. Flyers rivalry, explained: Pennsylvania's battle for hockey supremacy

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers were both founded in 1967, and the animosity between the two teams has only grown since they joined the NHL.

The Battle of Pennsylvania has featured dramatic brawls, upsets, top-tier players and outdoor games. From Eric Lindros to Sidney Crosby, these rivals have sparked intense discussions among hockey fans.

Here’s a breakdown of the Penguins-Flyers rivalry, from early beginnings to the stars of today that make matchups must-watch games.

The origins of the Penguins–Flyers rivalry

The rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers dates back to the NHL’s expansion, which brought six new teams to the league. In addition to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the NHL added the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues.

The first game between the teams was played on Oct. 19, 1967, a 1-0 win for Philadelphia. The Flyers have the advantage in the all-time series against the Penguins with a regular-season record of 168-105-44. They are also 21-20 against the Pens in the playoffs. Philadelphia was the better team early in the rivalry, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975.

Following the arrival of Mario Lemieux in 1984, the Penguins turned things around. While Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup twice in the 1990s, the Flyers rebounded thanks to the emergence of Eric Lindros and the initial retirement of Lemieux.

Despite several changes with expansion, relocation and realignment, the Penguins-Flyers rivalry continues to be a major highlight on the annual hockey schedule.

The Battle of Pennsylvania: The NHL’s most chaotic matchup

Even following early struggles in Pittsburgh, the Penguins–Flyers rivalry never failed to disappoint. Here are some key moments from the rivalry:

• 1989 Division Finals: This marked the first playoff series between the teams. The Flyers won a seven-game series that saw Pittsburgh win a 10-7 scoring explosion in Game 5.
• 1997 Conference Quarterfinals: The Flyers won the series before Lemieux retired. He earned a standing ovation while in Philadelphia.
• 2000 Conference Semifinals: The Flyers won one of the longest games in playoff history, building momentum toward a series victory.
• 2008 Eastern Conference Finals: The Penguins beat the Flyers, 4-1, shutting the door with a dominant performance in Game 5.
• 2017 NHL Stadium Series: The Penguins beat the Flyers at Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Steelers formerly known as Heinz Field.
• 2019 NHL Stadium Series: The Flyers came back to beat the Penguins in a dramatic OT game at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Eagles.
• There was a recent brawl (2025) following overtime in which Trevor Zegras dislodged Noel Acciari’s helmet while he was down. Yes, the rivalry is alive and well.

From Lemieux vs. Lindros to Crosby vs. Giroux: Eras of intensity

Several players have helped shape this rivalry.

Penguins legend Mario Lemieux totaled 51 goals and 73 assists against the Flyers. To counter Lemieux, the Flyers had Eric Lindros, who was key in the Flyers’ efforts to defeat the Penguins in 1997 en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

New stars emerged after the retirements of Lemieux and Lindros.

Sidney Crosby has been a menace against Philadelphia since 2005. Crosby has scored 59 goals and racked up 78 assists in 92 regular-season games, and he has 15 goals and 21 assists in 23 playoff games. Claude Giroux made a huge impact for the Flyers, tallying 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in a 2012 postseason series win against the Pens.

Penguins vs. Flyers today: Rivalry renewed in a new NHL era

While the rivalry hasn’t been quite at the same level as previous battles in the 2000s and 2010s, both teams won’t be sharing pleasantries anytime soon.

The 2025 brawl showed that there’s still plenty of fire when these squads collide. Crosby remains a thorn in the Flyers’ side, and Philadelphia fans continue to troll Crosby whenever arrives for a road game.