Erik Karlsson and Anthony Beauvillier scored for Pittsburgh (23-25-9), which had its four-game point streak end (3-0-1). Blomqvist made 17 saves.
"I think we played well today," said Karlsson, who will represent Sweden at the 4 Nations. "I thought we did well yesterday (in a 3-2 win at the New York Rangers) as well. Obviously on the back-to-back today, felt the guys were into it for the better part of this game. ... I think we felt good about our game today even though the result wasn't what we wanted."
The Penguins played their second straight game without center Sidney Crosby because of an upper-body injury. Crosby, who was named Canada's captain for the 4 Nations, also sat out Friday, the first regular-season game he’d missed since April 7, 2022 (illness).
As for how Crosby’s injury might affect his status for the tournament, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said, “We're going to take each day as it comes. He skated for a long time this morning. He felt significantly better today than he did yesterday, and that's really encouraging.”
The Penguins also were missing forward Bryan Rust, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday because of a lower-body injury, and center Evgeni Malkin (lower body), who has been out since Jan. 25.
"Let’s just state the obvious: We’re a little undermanned lately," said Sullivan, who will coach the United States at the 4 Nations. "These guys are stepping up. They’re playing hard. We’re competing. It’s not perfect. We’re going to make some mistakes out there. It is a game of mistakes, but most of the mistakes are mistakes of enthusiasm. We’ll live with those and work through them. We’re competing hard."
Laughton put the Flyers ahead 1-0 at 1:44 of the first period when he finished a give-and-go with Konecny. Andrei Kuzmenko, playing his first game for the Flyers since being acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on Jan. 30, got the secondary assist. It was the forward’s first game since Jan. 28.
"It was a good feeling, but a little bit tired because eight days of no ice ... is a little bit of a problem," Kuzmenko said. "But I hope in the future, next game, it'll be a little bit better feeling."
The Flyers led after one period despite being outshot 10-2 and having five shot attempts to the Penguins' 36.
"Never had the puck," said Philadelphia coach John Tortorella, who will be an assistant for the U.S. at 4 Nations. "They were quicker than us. They were much more determined than us for basically half the game I think. But [we] found a way."
Karlsson tied it 1-1 at 4:19 of the second period with a high shot from the bottom of the right face-off circle.
Hathaway gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead at 12:26. With Hathaway racing after a loose puck that rolled deep into the Penguins zone, Blomqvist skated into the slot to play it, but his clearing attempt went off Hathaway and into the empty net.
After Konecny scored, Beauvillier cut it to 3-2 at 5:42 when he poked the puck in during a scramble in front. The goal initially was disallowed because of goaltender interference, but the call on the ice was overturned after the Penguins challenged.
NOTES: It was the final game for both teams before the break for the 4 Nations. … Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim, who will join Konecny with Canada at the 4 Nations, had an assist on Konecny's goal to give him a three-game point streak (three assists), matching his season high. ... Philadelphia had a season-high 34 blocked shots. … The Flyers sent forwards Rodrigo Abols and Jacob Gaucher, and defenseman Emil Andrae to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. … Karlsson has six points (two goals, four assists) during a five-game point streak. It's the 23rd time he has had a point streak of at least five games, the third most among Sweden-born defenseman, after Nicklas Lidstrom (35) and Borje Salming (24). ... Pittsburgh forward Rickard Rakell, who is also on Sweden’s roster for the 4 Nations, had an assist on Karlsson's goal to give him six points (two goals, four assists) during a season-high five-game point streak. ... The Penguins sent Blomqvist and forwards Emil Bemstrom and Vasily Ponomarev to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and recalled goalie Tristan Jarry.
