Penguins Edge Flyers 4-2 in Game 4, Trim Series Deficit to 3-1
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins refused to let their playoff hopes slip away Monday night, delivering a gritty 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena to trim their first-round series deficit to 3-1. With Game 5 looming Wednesday in Philadelphia, the Penguins leaned on timely goaltending, opportunistic scoring, and a late insurance tally to stave off elimination for at least one more game.
The Turning Point: A Goalie Gaffe and Rakell’s Response
The defining sequence of the night unfolded midway through the second period. With the score knotted at 1-1, Flyers goaltender Carter Hart misplayed the puck behind his own net, presenting an unexpected gift to Penguins forward Rickard Rakell. The Swedish winger didn’t hesitate, pouncing on the loose puck and firing a sharp-angle shot past Hart to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 12:47 of the second.
“I’ve never done that before in a game,” Rakell admitted postgame, referring to the odd-man rush created by Hart’s miscue. “It was just about getting the puck to the net. Luckily, it went in.” The goal marked Rakell’s second of the series and his 12th career playoff tally, a milestone that underscores his clutch reputation. Over his nine seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Rakell became the franchise’s first player to score his first career playoff goal in the postseason, and his knack for big moments has followed him to Pittsburgh.
Söderblom’s Breakthrough and Late Insurance
While Rakell’s goal shifted momentum, it was rookie defenseman Lukas Söderblom who provided the Penguins’ first tally of the night, breaking a 10-game goal drought with a power-play marker at 18:11 of the first period. The 22-year-old Swede, acquired in a midseason trade from the Seattle Kraken, capitalized on a scramble in front of Hart, tipping a shot from the point past the Flyers’ netminder to open the scoring.
“It feels amazing,” Söderblom said. “I’ve been working hard to get that first one, and it came at a great time for the team.” The goal was his first in the NHL playoffs and only his second of the season, but it couldn’t have come at a more critical juncture. Pittsburgh’s power play, which entered the game converting at a 17.6% clip in the series, finally found its rhythm, with Söderblom’s goal marking the Penguins’ third man-advantage tally in their last four games.
The Flyers fought back to tie the game at 2-2 early in the third period on a goal by Joel Farabee, but the Penguins reclaimed the lead for good when Jake Guentzel buried a rebound with 8:42 remaining. Guentzel’s goal, his third of the series, was set up by a relentless forecheck from Bryan Rust, who has been a catalyst for Pittsburgh’s offense all postseason. Rust’s empty-netter with 1:12 left sealed the win, capping a three-point night for the Penguins’ alternate captain.
Goaltending Stands Tall When It Mattered Most
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry turned aside 28 of 30 shots, including several high-danger chances in the third period, to preserve the victory. Jarry’s performance was a welcome bounce-back after allowing four goals in Game 3, and his ability to steady the ship in the final frame was pivotal. The 28-year-old netminder now boasts a .912 save percentage in the series, a marked improvement from his .893 mark in the regular season against Philadelphia.
“Tristan was huge for us tonight,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. “He made the saves we needed at key moments, and that’s what playoff hockey is all about.” Jarry’s play was particularly impressive considering the Penguins were outshot 30-24, a stat that underscores Pittsburgh’s ability to generate quality chances despite being outplayed territorially.
What This Means for the Series
The Penguins’ victory keeps their Stanley Cup hopes alive, but they still face an uphill battle to advance. No team in NHL history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, but Pittsburgh’s resilience in Game 4 offers a glimmer of hope. The Flyers, meanwhile, will seem to close out the series in Game 5 at Wells Fargo Center, where they’ve gone 2-1 this postseason.
“We’ve got to bring the same energy Wednesday,” said Guentzel. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re not ready to go home yet.” The Penguins will need another strong performance from Jarry and continued production from their top lines if they hope to extend the series further. For Philadelphia, avoiding complacency will be key—especially after blowing a lead in Game 4.
Key Takeaways
- Rakell’s Clutch Play: His goal off Hart’s miscue shifted momentum and marked his second of the series.
- Söderblom’s Breakthrough: The rookie defenseman snapped a 10-game drought with his first playoff goal.
- Guentzel’s Leadership: His third-period tally proved to be the game-winner, his third goal in four games.
- Jarry’s Redemption: After a shaky Game 3, the goaltender rebounded with 28 saves to backstop the win.
- Special Teams: Pittsburgh’s power play converted on one of four opportunities, while the penalty kill was perfect (3/3).
- Series Outlook: The Penguins avoid elimination, but history is not on their side—no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the NHL playoffs.
What’s Next
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 5 on Wednesday, April 30, at Wells Fargo Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (23:00 UTC), with national coverage on NHL Network in the U.S. And Sportsnet in Canada. A Flyers win would clinch the series, while the Penguins will look to force a Game 6 back in Pittsburgh.
For real-time updates, follow the Penguins’ official Twitter account (@penguins) and the NHL’s playoff hub (NHL.com/stanley-cup-playoffs).
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