The final week of the 2025-26 regular season has finally come, and the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves with a playoff spot wrapped up ahead of their final game on April 14 against the St. Louis Blues. While there may only be one game on the schedule for the Penguins, there is still plenty to catch up on and watch for.
The Sunset of a Golden Era?
Before we look forward, we have to acknowledge the weight of what happened this past weekend. Sunday’s tilt in Washington felt less like a standard divisional game and more like a closing ceremony. With Alexander Ovechkin possibly hanging up the skates at the end of this season, the hockey world could have witnessed the final chapter of the Sidney Crosby-Alexander Ovechkin saga.
The atmosphere was heavy with nostalgia. From the video tributes to the curated photo montages, the Capitals organization did it right. The most poignant moment came at the opening draw, where the two titans lined up against one another—a sign of mutual respect for a rivalry that carried the NHL’s marketing efforts for two decades. It was a reminder that while the “New NHL” is fast and skilled, we are nearing the end of the most influential individual rivalry the sport has ever seen.
Whose #1 Netminder for the Playoffs?: Skinner vs. Silovs
Perhaps the biggest looming question for head coach Dan Muse is who leads the team out of the tunnel for Game 1. The debate between Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs has divided the fan base, though the needle seems to be tilting in one direction.
Skinner was the lone bright spot in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to the Capitals, stopping 23 of 25 shots and looking calm under pressure. More importantly, Skinner brings a resume that Silovs simply can’t match. Having gone on back-to-back deep runs to the Final with the Edmonton Oilers, Skinner understands the psychological toll of playoff hockey. Both goaltenders have been strong all season for the Penguins after being acquired at different points of the 2025-26 season (Skinner mid-season from the Oilers, and Silovs in the offseason from the Vancouver Canucks). In a series against a physical team like the Flyers, that experience is usually the tiebreaker.
A Collision Course With the Broad Street Bullies
It’s the matchup the league offices dream about, and that has plenty of bad blood. All signs point to a first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers starting April 18. This wouldn’t just be another playoff round; it would be a renewal of a rivalry with plenty of history.
Related: 3 Keys to Success for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
For the Penguins to advance, the blueprint is clear, though difficult to execute. While the star power at the top of the lineup remains the engine, this series will likely be decided in the trenches. Success hinges on secondary scoring—getting meaningful contributions from the bottom six forwards who can chip in when the Flyers inevitably shadow Sidney Crosby. Furthermore, the Pens must maintain their structural discipline. Philadelphia thrives on chaos and emotional volatility; if Pittsburgh gets sucked into a post-whistle wrestling match every shift, they play right into the Flyers’ hands.
Closing the Books in St. Louis
The Penguins wrap up the regular season on Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues. Truthfully, the result of this game is secondary to the health of the roster. With playoff positioning already locked in, the priority is “bubble wrapping” the veterans.
The primary concern is Evgeni Malkin, who has been nursing an upper-body injury. While he’s mobile enough to play if the game had post-season implications, the coaching staff probably keeps him in the press box until the Flyers series begins. At this stage of the year, a 90% healthy Malkin in Game 1 is far more valuable than a 100% healthy Malkin on a random Tuesday in Missouri.
The regular season was a success, but in Pittsburgh, the bar is set much higher than an 18-point improvement. The real test begins once the regular season ends and the postseason begins.
Penguins Schedule for April 13-19
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Start Time | Game Notes |
| April 14 | @ St. Louis Blues | Enterprise Center | 9:30 p.m. (EST) | Second matchup of the season vs. the Blues (6-3 win on Oct. 27) |
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