The Penguins and Flyers played in the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, a game the Penguins won 4-2. The only other teams to face each other multiple times outdoors are the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, who played in the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and the 2017 NHL Centennial Classic.
This is the fourth outdoor game for the Flyers, who are 0-2-1 in appearances against the Boston Bruins at the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park against the New York Rangers and the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series against the Penguins. Forward Claude Giroux, Philadelphia's captain, is the only player on the Flyers who's skated in all three games.
Pittsburgh is playing in its fifth outdoor game. Before defeating the Flyers in 2017, the Penguins have appeared in the 2008 NHL Winter Classic against the Buffalo Sabres at Orchard Park, New York, the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field and the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series against the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field. Forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are the only players who have skated in each of the first four outdoor games with the Penguins, who are 2-2-0.
Second Six rivalry
The Flyers and Penguins entered the NHL together in 1967-68 as part of the NHL's expansion from six to 12 teams. They've played 287 times during the regular season; Philadelphia is 154-93-10; Pittsburgh is 103-147-7, and the other 30 games ended in ties. Philadelphia has a 348-243 lead in points. The Penguins and Flyers have split two games this season, with the Flyers winning 4-2 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 1 and the Penguins earning a 4-1 win at Wells Fargo Center on Feb. 11.
The Flyers' 154 victories against the Penguins are the most they've had against any opponent. Pittsburgh's 287 games against Philadelphia are the most it has played against one opponent. The Flyers have faced only one opponent, the New York Rangers, more times than the Penguins during the regular season (296).
The Metropolitan Division rivals complete their season series March 17 at Pittsburgh.
Playoff history
The Flyers and Penguins have played each other seven times during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Philadelphia owning a 4-3 series edge and 21-20 advantage in games won. But the Penguins are 3-1 in the past four postseason meetings (all since 2008), including a six-game victory in the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round. Crosby and linemate Jake Guentzel each had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) for Pittsburgh in the victory. Although the teams entered the NHL together in 1967-68, they did not meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs until 1989.
Crosby has 133 points (55 goals, 78 assists) in 88 regular-season and playoff games against the Flyers. He has 97 points (40 goals, 57 assists) in 65 regular-season games and 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 23 playoff games.