NHL Season Opener: Penguins-Flyers Playoff Rivalry Resumes as Kings Begin Post-Kopitar Era

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers open the 2026-27 NHL regular season Wednesday night, resuming a rivalry defined less by geography than by a decade of brutal postseason collisions. The two Pennsylvania franchises have met in four playoff series since 2008, including a first-round matchup last spring that extended Philadelphia’s all-time edge over Pittsburgh to five series victories in eight tries.

Unlike many original rivalries born from the NHL’s 1967 expansion — when the league doubled from six to twelve teams — the Battle of Pennsylvania has only intensified under the salary cap era. Frequent playoff meetings between divisional opponents are increasingly rare in modern hockey, where roster turnover and parity often separate contenders within a year or two. That both clubs continue to construct rosters capable of deep runs simultaneously speaks to aggressive front-office strategies on both sides of the state.

Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop on TNT arrives with fresh Calder Trophy intrigue anchoring both lineups. Philadelphia forward Porter Martone established himself as a top-six fixture during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, transitioning rapidly from prospect to core piece. Across the ice, Pittsburgh relies on goaltender Sergei Murashov, who posted a .919 save percentage across 38 starts for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season. Goaltenders rarely capture the Calder Trophy, historically awarded to the league’s top rookie, making Murashov’s candidacy notable if he secures the starting role immediately.

The opening slate extends beyond Pennsylvania. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, staging a direct collision between the past two No. 1 overall draft picks. Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer captured the Calder Trophy last season, while Gavin McKenna begins his NHL career joining a Maple Leafs core featuring former top selections Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Toronto enters as slight home favorites at -120, with an over/under set at 5.5 goals.

A generational shift defines the late window. The Los Angeles Kings visit the Colorado Avalanche at 10 p.m. ET on TNT, playing their first regular-season game without Anze Kopitar. The future Hall of Fame center concluded his career after last season, ending a tenure that began when Los Angeles drafted him 11th overall in 2005. Kopitar anchored the Kings through two Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014, serving as captain for the latter portion of that run. His absence leaves a massive void in faceoff dominance, defensive zone coverage, and locker room leadership that Los Angeles must absorb immediately against an Avalanche team that swept them out of the 2026 postseason. Colorado is heavily favored at -192, with the total set at 6.5.

Early statistical trends from Tuesday’s five-game slate offer a glimpse into team trajectories heading into Wednesday. The Vegas Golden Knights feature prominently in scoring, with Jack Eichel, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, and Ivan Barbashev all registering multiple points. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard currently leads the league with five points. In net, Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom and Boston Bruins starter Jeremy Swayman each recorded shutouts Tuesday, maintaining perfect 1.000 save percentages through their first starts. Conversely, Tristan Jarry, now with the Oilers, faces early scrutiny after allowing nearly six goals against average in his initial outing.

Tuesday also saw Gustav Forsling score with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Florida past Carolina 1-0, while Vancouver edged Edmonton 6-5 in extra time. Montreal defeated Toronto 3-2, and Boston blanked the New York Rangers 3-0.

Off the ice, the Toronto franchise formalized a significant front-office addition this week. Mats Sundin returned to the Maple Leafs organization as senior executive adviser for hockey operations. Sundin made history in 1997 when Toronto named him captain, becoming the first European-born player to wear the ‘C’ in the NHL. He held the position for 11 seasons before retiring.