The Battle of Pennsylvania has been extra spicy this 2026 first-round playoff series. Flyers fans (and plenty of neutral observers) have been calling out the Penguins for crossing lines with physical play, especially when Pittsburgh starts trailing or getting frustrated.
- In Game 2 (April 22, 2026), things boiled over with multiple 10-minute misconducts late. Kris Letang was involved in a hit on Owen Tippett that many Flyers fans labeled as dirty/suspendable (late, high, or boarding-adjacent). Letang then took a swing at another Flyer and acted confused about the penalties.
- Other clips and postgame chatter pointed to Penguins players like Anthony Mantha throwing punches with the glove, cross-checks, and post-whistle stuff that looked intentional. Flyers broadcasts and fans described it as Penguins getting “super dirty” after getting outplayed and shut out 3-0.
- There’s also the classic Penguins reputation: veterans like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang know how to agitate, embellish for calls, and play on the edge. When the younger, hungry Flyers (Tippett leading hits, Travis Konecny mucking) push back physically, Penguins sometimes respond with extra nastiness instead of skill.
That said, hockey rivalries like this are rarely one-sided. Both teams have history of chippy play—Flyers have their own Broad Street legacy, and this series has seen scrums, high sticks, and plenty of penalties going both ways. Penguins fans fire back that the Flyers are “rats” who bait and instigate.
Letang’s kid even called the Flyers the “definition of dirty” on social media. It’s the Pennsylvania way: hate each other, bleed for the logo.Flyers have looked strong early in the series (taking a lead at one point, with shutouts and physical dominance), which probably makes the Penguins’ response feel extra desperate and dirty.
It’s nothing like the Mantha upper cuts in game 5, or Malkin’s persistence to use is stick cheaply. Whatever the case may be, game 6 is Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
