Penguins force Game 6 vs. Flyers on Kris Letang fluke goal: Highlights

The Pittsburgh Penguins trio of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin remain alive in the NHL playoffs, and the team can thank the first two.

The Penguins, once facing a possible sweep by the Philadelphia Flyers, forced Game 6 by winning two in a row, including a 3-2 victory on Monday, April 27.

Crosby and Letang played a big role, connecting again on the game-winning goal. Saturday's goal was a Letang blast after Crosby kicked the puck toward him on a skilled play. Monday, Letang's goal was a fluke. His shot went off the glass and hit off Dan Vladar before trickling into the net.

"Especially after all the looks I got in the second period, I can't believe that one goes in," Letang told reporters, "'I just tried to put it there. Obviously it took a crazy bounce. Sometimes you create your own luck."

Said Flyers coach Rick Tocchet: "There's a couple fluky goals the past couple games that have deflated us. But you've got to give them credit. They were defending really hard."

Crosby ended up with two assists despite limping to the dressing room after taking a shot off the knee. He returned quickly.

The Anthony Mantha line finally connected on an Elmer Soderblom goal to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Connor Dewar, set up by Crosby, ripped a shot that went in and out of the net so fast that referees took some time before awading it.

The Flyers failed to score in the first period for the fifth consecutive game. But Tocchet's move paid off as Alex Bump scored in his first playoff game after being inserted at the expense of scoreless Matvei Michkov.

The Flyers will regroup and try again to clinch a berth in the second round when they face the Penguins at home on Wednesday, April 29. And the Penguins' Big 3 will try again to extend their 20th season together.

USA TODAY provided live updates on Game 5 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. Here are highlights:

Penguins vs. Flyers highlights

Final score: Penguins 3, Flyers 2

Sidney Crosby wins a faceoff and the Penguins hold off the Flyers for a 3-2 win. Game 6 will be in Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 29.

10 seconds left

Sidney Crosby hits the post again with the net empty. Penguins ice the puck.

40 seconds left

Penguins miss opportunities at the empty net and then they ice it with 39.6 seconds left.

Flyers pull goalie

Extra skater out there with left than two minutes left.

Dan Vladar save

The goalie stops Ben Kindel after a Flyers giveaway.

10 minutes left

Owen Tippett gets the Flyers' third shot of the third period, but Arturs Silovs stops it. Penguins still up 3-2.

12 minutes left

The Flyers have only shot in the period and trail 3-2.

Penguins go on power play

Emil Andrae is called for tripping Evgeni Malkin. Flyers kill it.

Big save by Flyers goalie

Dan Vladar kicks out his pad to stop Bryan Rust in close.

Third period underway

Penguins are 20 minutes from forcing a Game 6.

End of second period: Penguins 3, Flyers 2

Alex Bump gets his first playoff goal and Travis Sanheim's shot goes in off Erik Karlsson. But Kris Letang scores when his shot goes off the glass and Dan Vladar's leg for the go-ahead goal.

Penguins score: Kris Letang scores fluke goal

Kris Letang's shot goes off the glass and off of Flyers goalie Dan Vladar. Sidney Crosby picks up the assist. Penguins 3, Flyers 2

Sidney Crosby injury update

The Penguins captain is back on the ice.

Flyers score: Philadelphia ties it up

Travis Sanheim's shot hits Erik Karlsson's stick and deflects past Arturs Silovs. Flyers 2, Penguins 2

Sidney Crosby injury

He's hit in the knee by a teammate's shot, falls to the ice then limps toward the dressing room.

Flyers go on power play

Erik Karlsson trips Travis Konecny, who had gotten around him. Flyers don't get many chances and the power play expires.

Flyers score: Alex Bump gets one back

The Flyers needed only 12 seconds to cut the Penguins' lead. The goal comes from Alex Bump, who was inserted in the lineup as Matvei Michkov was scratched. Penguins 2, Flyers 1

Penguins score: Pittsburgh goes up 2-0

The Penguins apply heavy pressure and Connor Dewar connects. The Penguins celebrate, but the on-ice officials don't call a goal because the puck went in and out of the net so quickly. Finally they award the goal. Sidney Crosby gets an assist. Penguins 2, Flyers 0

Second period underway

1-0 Penguins. Good start as they try to stay alive.

End of first period: Penguins 1, Flyers 0

The Flyers controlled play early but Pittsburgh was able to score first on an Elmer Soderblom goal. The Penguins picked up play near the end and end up outshooting the Flyers 11-9. The Flyers go without a first period goal for the fifth game in a row.

Flyers chance thwarted

Trevor Zegras had a chance to break in alone, but he loses the puck.

Penguins go on power play

Garnet Hathaway was whistled for tripping, but then he goes after Evgeni Malkin and more players go to the penalty box. Pittsburgh still ends up with a power play. Flyers kill it off.

Flyers go on power play

Samuel Girard is called for tripping. Penguins kill it off.

Penguins score: Elmer Soderblom opens scoring

Anthony Mantha wins a puck battle behind the net and feeds Elmer Soderblom in the slot. Pittsburgh scores on its first shot of the game. It's Soderblom's first goal and Mantha's first point of the 2026 playoffs. Penguins 1, Flyers 0

Flyers unhappy with Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin appears to intentionally put the puck into the Flyers bench.

Game underway

Flyers advance with a win. Penguins force a Game 6 with a victory.

Opening lines

The Penguins will put out the Sidney Crosby line and the Flyers will start with their fourth line. Goalie matchup is Pittsburgh's Arturs Silovs vs. Philadelphia's Dan Vladar.

What time is Flyers vs. Penguins today?

The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 at 7 p.m. ET.

What channel is Flyers vs. Penguins?

Game 5 of the Penguins vs. Flyers series will be shown on ESPN.

Flyers vs Penguins Game 5: How to watch, stream

• Time: 7 p.m. ET, Monday, April 27
• Location: PPG Paints Arena
• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+,Fubo

Flyers projected lineup

Penguins projected lineup

Flyers need strong start

The Flyers have yet to score a first-period goal in the 2026 playoffs. The only other teams with zero first period goals are the Senators and Kings, who were swept.

Matvei Michkov to be a healthy scratch

Flyers forward Matvei Michkov won't play in Game 5. He has no points in four games while averaging a little more than 10 minutes a game. Alex Bump is expected to make his NHL playoff debut.

Arturs Silovs to start again for Penguins

Arturs Silovs, who picked up the lone Penguins in the series, will be in the Pittsburgh net for Game 5. He stopped 28 of 30 shots in the Game 4 victory.