Gretzky warns not to count out Sidney Crosby’s Penguins in playoffs
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The Pittsburgh Penguins remain alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs despite falling 3-0 in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Game 6 is set for puck drop in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, and there’s no need to explain its significance to either side. Either way, “The Great” Wayne Gretzky loved everything about this series.
“Boy, this has been some really good hockey. Fast, physical, a lot of skill. It’s been fun to watch. It’s great for hockey,” Gretzky said on the “Game Notes” podcast.
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Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby waits for a faceoff during the third period of Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 27, 2026. (Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)
However, many did not believe we would see a Game 6 in this series after the Flyers dominated the Penguins in the first three matchups. But Gretzky is warning anyone who still believes the Flyers will close this out without ever doubting the Penguins roster led by Sidney Crosby.
“You never count on Crosby, do you? If there’s a team that can come back even at 3-0, my God, [the Penguins] has a lot of firepower with it and [Evgeni] Malkin. “They made a change towards the goal and it seems to have pleased the team.”
Stuart Skinner was in net for Pittsburgh for the first three games, but head coach Dan Muse decided to give Arturs Silovs the nod in win-or-go-home game 4, among other line changes.
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While the Latvian goalkeeper nailed the Penguins, the offense found its way for the team that had its back against the wall.
That doesn’t mean Gretzky doesn’t like what he sees from the other bench.
As one of the youngest teams in the NHL, the Flyers had to make a run to make the playoffs. They caught fire just in time, and that momentum resulted in a dominant start to the series.
“Philly plays with great courage and energy,” Gretzky explained. “I talked to someone [NHL’s] The coaches played Philly in the last 10 games of the season. He said it was one of the toughest teams they’ve ever had to play. They’re just playing it the right way. They finish the checks, they play with energy. I really like their goalkeeper. I think he is a solid netminder. It’s play-off time, you gotta be a goalkeeper, man, otherwise you don’t have a chance.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby celebrates a goal by teammate Connor Dewar during the second period of Game Five against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 27, 2026. (Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)
“I mean, gosh, this is a huge game for a young team like Philly. It’s going to be exciting to watch.”
What looked like a quick end to the first round turned into an exciting Game 6; Crosby’s Penguins are trying to do whatever they can to get back to Pittsburgh for a decisive Game 7.
Gretzky knows Crosby is telling his teammates what he needs to get them in the right mood for the raucous Philly crowd on Wednesday night.
“It’s really tough, especially when you’re down 3-0 and game four is on the way. It’s tough,” Gretzky said. “It takes understanding, listening, leadership and experience, you have to win four games. These are all clichés and I know everyone is saying the right thing. But ultimately, you have to have that confidence to win a game.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby collides with Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny during the first period of Game 2 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs on April 20, 2026 in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
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“So you win Game 4 and you’re on the plane on the way home saying, ‘Listen, we’re back in this. We’re going home. It’s our building. Let’s win Game 5.’ Then all the momentum turns to us and all the pressure goes to the Flyers. Frankly, Sid was one of the greatest captains ever during his time in Pittsburgh.”
Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion during his future Hall of Fame career in Pittsburgh, collected a point in each of his last three games against the Flyers. He had two assists in the 3-2 win in Game 5 and scored his first goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2022 in Game 4.
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