The Pittsburgh Penguins open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh earned the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division with 98 points, while Philadelphia qualified as the Metropolitan’s third seed with 95 points. The series opener airs on ESPN, with the series continuing on ESPN and TBS through the first round.
Penguins vs. Flyers: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Penguins vs. Flyers, via the NHL’s official first round schedule. Games 5 through 7 are if necessary.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Site | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 18 (Fri) | 8:00 p.m. | vs. Philadelphia (PPG Paints Arena) | ESPN, SN, TVAS |
| 2 | April 20 (Sun) | 7:00 p.m. | vs. Philadelphia (PPG Paints Arena) | ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
| 3 | April 22 (Tue) | 7:00 p.m. | @ Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center) | ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
| 4 | April 25 (Fri) | 8:00 p.m. | @ Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center) | TBS, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS |
| *5 | April 27 (Sun) | TBD | vs. Philadelphia | TBD |
| *6 | April 29 (Tue) | TBD | @ Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center) | TBD |
| *7 | May 2 (Sat) | TBD | vs. Philadelphia | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff FAQ
When do the Pittsburgh Penguins start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Pittsburgh Penguins open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Game 1 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN.
Who do the Pittsburgh Penguins play in the first round?
The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Pittsburgh earned the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division with 98 points, while Philadelphia qualified as the Metropolitan’s third seed with 95 points.
Where do the Penguins play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Pittsburgh Penguins play their 2026 first round home games at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) are scheduled at PPG Paints Arena, which seats approximately 18,387 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Penguins-Flyers playoff series?
Games 1, 2, and 3 air on ESPN, while Game 4 airs on TBS, truTV, and Max. Canadian viewers can watch on SN, SN360, and TVAS throughout the series.
How did the Pittsburgh Penguins qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Pittsburgh Penguins qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, finishing the regular season with 98 points. Pittsburgh drew the Metropolitan’s third seed, the Philadelphia Flyers (95 points), in the first round.
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
