Penguins star Erik Karlsson’s reaction to Flyers series loss says it all appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are out of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Cam York sent the Philadelphia Flyers to the second round with his first career playoff goal. Everyone in Pittsburgh is still processing this loss. However, Erik Karlsson did his best to put it into words on Wednesday night.
“Empty, obviously, a bit. I think today, we probably played our best game of the series. They bent, but they didn’t break, and that’s why they’re moving on to the second round. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t have more in us,” the Penguins defenseman said, via team reporter Michelle Crechiolo.
Karlsson and the Penguins were the favorites heading into this series based on experience. Pittsburgh’s core of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin have won three Stanley Cups. They are a battle-tested club, while the Flyers haven’t made the Stanley Cup Final since 2010.
The first three games, though, flipped the script on its head. Philadelphia dominated for most of the series, and won the first three contests. Pittsburgh showed signs of life in Games 4 and 5 after putting Arturs Silovs in goal. Unfortunately, it was not enough to complete the comeback.
The Flyers are moving on to the second round for the first time since 2020. They will take on the Carolina Hurricanes for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. If successful, it would be Philadelphia’s first appearance in the East Final since 2010.
Pittsburgh heads to an offseason that could see major roster turnover. Malkin, Anthony Mantha, and Connor Dewar are free agents this summer. Malkin’s future in the NHL is up in the air as the 39-year-old contemplates his future on the ice.
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