PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Penguins secured a crucial 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Monday, led by strong performances from Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell. Malkin contributed a goal and an assist, while Rakell opened the scoring just 45 seconds into the first period with a power-play goal.
Alex Nedeljkovic made 36 saves for the Penguins (20-15-4), who have won five of their last seven games. The victory brought Pittsburgh closer to the Flyers in the standings, as noted by Nedeljkovic.
Owen Tippett scored the lone goal for Philadelphia (20-14-6), which has lost five of its last six games. Carter Hart made 35 saves for the Flyers, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Penguins’ offense.
Flyers coach John Tortorella expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, citing issues at both ends of the ice. The Flyers were without key players due to injuries and trades, including the recent deal that sent Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a draft pick.
Erik Karlsson and Chad Ruhwedel also scored for Pittsburgh, with Karlsson’s goal making it 2-0 in the first period and Ruhwedel extending the lead in the second. Malkin’s snap shot in the third period sealed the win for the Penguins.
Malkin’s performance drew praise from Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who highlighted the veteran’s attention to detail and competitive spirit.
The Flyers struggled to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities, a problem highlighted by Tortorella and defenseman Travis Sanheim. Despite fighting back, they couldn’t overcome the Penguins’ momentum.
Rakell’s early goal set the tone for the game, and his recent form has been a significant boost for Pittsburgh. His 10 points in 10 games since returning from injury have been crucial for the team’s success.
The Penguins’ power play was effective, continuing a trend from the end of last season. Karlsson’s goal extended his point streak, and Ruhwedel’s goal was his first since March 2023.
The Flyers’ trade for Drysdale signals a focus on rebuilding and strengthening their defensive line. Meanwhile, the Penguins’ victory positions them for a strong push in the second half of the season.
Both teams look ahead to their next games, with the Penguins aiming to maintain their winning form and the Flyers seeking to bounce back from their recent losses.
