Penguins-Flyers ended bonkers: Two overturned OT goals, a post-horn scrum, and a shootout
If you thought the Battle of Pennsylvania might have mellowed with time, Tuesday night in Philadelphia was your reminder that this rivalry still cooks. The Penguins extended their point streak with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Flyers, but the path there? Pure chaos, right down to an overtime that saw goals wiped off for both teams and a scrum that left Sidney Crosby ineligible for the shootout.
Context and what set the stage
- Form and stakes: Pittsburgh came in rolling, 5-0-2 in their previous seven and 7-2-2 overall after this one—banking points during a dense stretch of three games in four nights. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has been sturdy at home and looking to cement an early-season identity under Rick Tocchet.
- The script: Justin Brazeau opened for the Pens with his sixth of the season, continuing a productive start for Pittsburgh’s “Big Boy Line” with Anthony Mantha and Evgeni Malkin. Special teams tilted the middle frames: the Flyers answered on a power play and then again shortly after a kill to go up 2-1.
- Crosby’s equalizer: Because of course—No. 87 banked one in during the third to make it 2-2, the latest chapter in a career-long habit of tormenting Philly.
- The wild overtime: Pittsburgh appeared to win it, but the goal was erased because Malkin hopped on early during a delayed penalty situation. Later, the Flyers’ would-be winner was overturned for offside. Then the horn. Then the scrum. Multiple misconducts on both sides meant several stars—including Crosby—couldn’t participate in the shootout.
- The finish: Philadelphia converted twice in the skills contest; only Malkin scored for Pittsburgh. Still, the Penguins pocketed a road point behind a strong night from Arturs Silovs, who steadied them while they found their legs.
Why it mattered
Beyond the rivalry drama, this game offered a reality check and a roadmap. Pittsburgh didn’t have its best in the first 40 but tightened up in the third, leaned on goaltending, and found a way to stretch the game—exactly the kind of bank-a-point mentality that pays off later. It also spotlighted how thin the margins are when special teams and reviews swing outcomes.
Key takeaways
- Penguins extend point streak despite the loss: 5-0-2 in their last seven, now 7-2-2 overall—valuable standings math on a back-to-back.
- Goaltending stole the show for Pittsburgh: Arturs Silovs was the primary reason they escaped with a point after a choppy first two periods.
- Crosby keeps setting the tone: His third-period equalizer reinforced a scorching start after recently hitting 1,700 career points.
- Details decide overtime: One erased Penguins goal for an early change on a delayed penalty; one Flyers goal overturned for offside—discipline and video reviews loomed large.
- Rivalry energy is alive: A multi-player scrum at the horn left key names, including Crosby, unavailable for the shootout—a tangible reminder of the series’ edge.
Final thought
If you’re Mike Sullivan, you don’t love the second period, but you love the response: structure in the third, poise in bedlam, and a point in the bank. If you’re a neutral, you loved every bit of the chaos. And if you’re a Penguins or Flyers fan, circle the rematch—these two just turned up the heat again.
Sources
- Musings: A Wild Finish in Philly — NHL.com (Pittsburgh Penguins team site), October 29, 2025
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/musings-a-wild-finish-in-philly - Bobby Brink delivers Flyers to chaotic shootout win over Penguins — Reuters, October 29, 2025
https://www.reuters.com/sports/nhl/bobby-brink-delivers-flyers-chaotic-shootout-win-over-penguins–flm-2025-10-29/
Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.
Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.