NHL playoff analysis: Pittsburgh Penguins struggle to fight back against the Philadelphia Flyers

As we enter game three of the first round of playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ run so far has been defined less by dominance than by self-inflicted inefficiency.

With the ‘Battle of Pennsylvania’ between the two teams growing bigger every day, and chances of crawling to the second round slipping away, Sports News Blitz’s Katie Ryan takes a look at what’s gone wrong so far.

Power play problems

What instantly sticks out as an issue is the regression in power-play strengths.

During the regular season, this could have been argued as being one of the Penguins’  biggest strengths - taking advantage of one less player on the ice to clinch an easy goal.

Before play-offs, the Penguins were seventh in the NHL for power-play goal advantages, with a conversion rate of 24.1% with 56 goals. 

Now, when it’s needed most, they’re collapsing under the pressure.

In game two on Monday night this was clear. With four power-play opportunities by the end of the second period, Pittsburgh only managed to attempt two shots on goal. 

Just to rub salt in the wound Philadelphia’s Garnet Hathaway (#19) managed to score a goal against Pittsburgh during their own power-play.

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Little mistakes

Little mistakes are catching up with Pittsburgh. A couple, sure, you can justify - but now it seems almost every game. 

What once was a few slips is now becoming a routine habit - opportunities for shots on goal are being missed, pucks are slipping away, and easily avoidable calls are being made against the Penguins.

Their competitive edge is becoming sloppy. 

Goal scoring opportunities, especially what I like to call ‘goal hogging’ - where Pittsburgh rams the opposition's net repeatedly up close - are becoming much less frequent where opportunities could have been taken.

Of course our view as spectators is much different to being on the ice, but this is something that could be easily taken advantage of during replay analysis. 

What’s causing these issues?

You could call this player fatigue, but most of the Penguins’ star players were benched ahead of playoffs during games against the Washington Capitals. 

Perhaps this rest wasn’t long enough, with the regular season’s toll catching up to them.

There is also a tactical element. Playoff hockey allows opponents to prepare more specifically, and the Philadelphia Flyers appear to have effectively read Pittsburgh’s setups. 

Passing lanes are being closed earlier, shots are being forced from low-percentage areas, and the lack of variation makes the unit predictable.

Another factor is decision-making under pressure. The Penguins are not just missing chances, they’re rushing them. 

That points to a mental rather than physical issue: forcing plays, overhandling the puck, or opting for the extra pass instead of taking cleaner shooting opportunities.

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One last run?

This could be the last time we see the core three in a playoff run - Evgeni Malkin (#71), Sidney Crosby (#87), and Kris Letang (#58) have led the Penguins to three Stanley Cups since 2009.

Crosby and Letang are guaranteed for at least next season, with Crosby’s contract expiring in the 2026/27 season and Letang until 2027/28, but Malkin’s contract is still unconfirmed. 

General manager Kyle Dubas has stayed silent about any updates to a resigning, with Malkin expressing frustration over this after the end of the Winter Olympics.

With Malkin’s contract for next year still not confirmed, this could very well be the last time we see this trio play together - let alone another playoff run.

Looking forward

There’s still five games left in this first round, so not all hope is lost just yet. 

Game three against the Flyers will take place on April 22 at 7pm Eastern time, at their home at XFinity Mobile Arena.

Falling behind in a series can tighten play and increase urgency, but sustained success requires composure rather than desperation. 

If Pittsburgh can strike that balance, the series remains within reach.

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