The Philadelphia Flyers ended a six-year playoff drought with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Rookie Porter Martone scored the game-winning goal with 2:37 remaining, capping a comeback that began when Travis Sanheim broke a 1-1 tie midway through the third period.

The Flyers' improbable playoff run saw them overcome 3.8% postseason odds from just two months ago. Jamie Drysdale added another goal while Dan Vladar stopped 14 shots for his first career postseason win. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin scored his 68th career playoff goal, but the Penguins' high-powered offense struggled against Philadelphia's defense.

Despite the cross-state rivalry's history, this series felt different with so many new faces on both rosters. The game quickly turned physical, with Rasmus Ristolainen drawing an early roughing call in his playoff debut after 820 regular-season games. Bryan Rust pulled Pittsburgh within one with 1:01 remaining, but Vladar made a crucial save on Anthony Mantha in the final seconds to preserve the win. Game 2 is set for Monday in Pittsburgh.