Flyers Advance to Second Round After Overtime Victory Against Penguins
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in overtime during Game 6 on Wednesday, securing a 4-2 series win in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marks the Flyers’ first playoff series win since 2012.
Cam York scored the decisive goal for the Flyers, ending the game and the Battle of Pennsylvania. The victory sends the Flyers to a second-round matchup against the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes.
Flyers’ Road to the Second Round
This series win is significant for the Flyers, representing their first non-bubble playoff series victory in 14 years. They previously won a series in the 2020 Toronto bubble, going 3-0 in the round robin and winning the conference quarterfinals.
Upcoming Matchup: Flyers vs. Hurricanes
The Flyers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs. Philadelphia did not lose to Carolina in regulation during the 2025-26 regular season, posting a 1-0-3 record with two shootout losses. Their last meeting, a 3-2 shootout win for the Flyers, clinched Philadelphia’s postseason berth and secured the top seed for Carolina in the Eastern Conference.
NHL Playoff Landscape
The Flyers and Hurricanes are among the first teams to advance in the 2026 NHL playoffs, joining the Colorado Avalanche. The schedule for the second round will be released once all matchups are determined. Game 1 of the Flyers-Hurricanes series is expected to start next week.
Post-Game Tradition: Hockey Handshakes
Following the game, players from both teams participated in the traditional post-game handshake, showcasing sportsmanship and respect. The NHL shared footage of the hockey handshakes on Twitter.