The Flyers-Penguins rivalry is one of the best ones in the NHL. Even when the teams are bottom feeders, they can still find enough in the hate well to provide for a fun, entertaining atmosphere. There have been all types of great moments between the two sides.
With the Flyers just one game away from sending the Penguins packing, let's take a look at some of the best moments between these two teams. Well, best in my opinion.
5: Scott Hartnell Interacts with Penguins Fan
The 2012 playoff series between Philly and Pittsburgh was legendary. There was a ton of animosity heading into it. Both teams had known for a while they'd be facing off, and the NHL had them scheduled to play twice in the final week just before round one. At one point, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette and Penguins coach Dan Bylsma stood on top of their benches threatening to fight each other. Good times.
In Game Three, the Flyers knocked the Penguins around 8-4, mostly because the Penguins lost their minds and racked up a lot of dumb penalties. In the midst of all this, Scott Hartnell gave us a moment we can't forget. In the stands was Penguins superfan Cy Clark. You always saw him because he sat behind the benches and looked like Hulk Hogan.
During one of the many fracases on the ice, Clark was standing up and yelling. Hartnell skated close by and gave him the Hulkster Ear. Clark then began jabbering back at Hartnell. The whole thing was immortalized in one of the greatest Flyers playoff t-shirts. More importantly, it was a funny moment for a Flyers player to have fun with a great hockey fan. Good times.
4. Giroux Poses
We all love the outdoor games the NHL puts on. Unfortunately, the Flyers do poorly in them, posting a record of 1-5-1. However, the one win was magical.
On a cold, rainy day, Claude Giroux scored an OT thriller to drop the Penguins at the Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field. It wasn't just the fact that they beat the Penguins, nor was it that they rallied from three goals down, that made this special.
When he scored the goal, Giroux looked at the camera and gave a great "WHAT" pose. It was such a cocky move that was absolutely amazing and highlighted the best of the rivalry between him and Sidney Crosby at the time.
3. 2026 Game Three
This is one of the craziest games that you'll ever see. It was so fun watching because the Penguins came out so strong, and then turned into a giant train wreck. It was even more special to see the Flyers' bottom line and defenders get in on the scoring. If anything sealed this series up, it was this game.
So many moments. How about the "Crosby Flop"? How about the announcers flummoxed seeing ten guys in the penalty box at once? How about the Flyers ripping off three goals in six minutes?
2. The Shift
In Flyers history, there are two "The Shifts". There is the Mike Richards shift that was made in the unlikely run to the Stanley Cup in 2010. It is one of the greatest moments in Flyers history and arguably the best moment for the franchise since the year 2000.
Then there is the "other" one. In Game Six of the aforementioned 2012 series, the Flyers were up three games to two. Very early on, Giroux made sure everyone knew, especially Pittsburgh, that there would be no Game Seven.
In the first 32 seconds of the game, Giroux slammed into Crosby, knocking him onto the ice. After a stoppage of play when the Pens fired a shot on goal, Jaromir Jagr made a great defensive play on neutral ice. Giroux snagged the puck and fired it off into the back of the net, sending the Flyers faithful nuts. Philly went on to win 5-2 that game, but it was that opening shift that set the tone.
1. Primeau's OT Thriller
You knew this had to be there. It's probably in the top-5 greatest goals in Flyers history. Keith Primeau scored after a multi-OT thriller. It didn't clinch the series, but let's be honest, it clinched the series. When you lose a five-overtime game, you lose a lot of momentum.
Just the sheer excitement of the moment. You know everyone is dog-tired. Everything has been given out and left on the ice. I remember hearing Brian Boucher saying he took off his skates and sweat water just poured out of them. A moment like that you can't forget.
That goal turned Primeau into a Flyers legend. It seemingly broke the Penguins for a while as they would become a garbage team until they drafted Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury. Someday soon, the Penguins will be back there. For now, it's Philly's time to rise.
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