Penguins Playoff X-Factors: Kindel, Girard-Letang Pairing and Skinner in the Crease

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are set to renew their intrastate rivalry in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — a matchup that nobody saw coming a month ago, and nobody predicted at the start of the season. For the Penguins, the big names will do what the big names do. But whether Pittsburgh advances or not may come down to three players operating well below the headline.

Ben Kindel is first on that list. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rookie season, but he has hit a quiet patch over the past few weeks. Some underlying numbers have regressed, and the learning curve that every teenager faces in the NHL has begun to show. That is entirely normal. What matters now is that the reset button gets pressed with the postseason arriving. The Penguins have historically leant heavily on their third line in playoff runs — the Jordan Staal unit in 2008 and 2009, the HBK line in 2016 and 2017 — and Kindel will be counted on to provide that same kind of secondary scoring punch. He does not need to be spectacular. He just needs to give the Penguins a fighting chance when the top players are being matched hard.

On defence, the Sam Girard and Kris Letang pairing has become quietly important. When they were first thrown together following the trade with Colorado, the results were ugly. Girard looked lost and indecisive. Something changed roughly 10 games ago. They have since outscored opponents 11-5 at 5-on-5 over their last 10 games, controlling play at a 57.8 percent expected goals rate. Girard in particular looks like a completely different player — confident, purposeful, joining the rush with intent. If that level of play carries into the postseason, the Penguins suddenly have two pairings they can trust, which transforms their defensive ceiling entirely.

Then there is Stuart Skinner, who may be the most consequential Penguin in this series. He backstopped the Edmonton Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals in each of the past two seasons, and he has the temperament for big moments. He has earned the starting job down the stretch. Over his last 20 appearances, he has saved four goals above expected — solid numbers that suggest he gives Pittsburgh a chance to win most nights. The Flyers do not possess an overwhelming offence, so the Penguins are not asking Skinner to steal games. They simply need him to stay out of their way and hold the line.

Crosby, Malkin and Karlsson will grab the attention. But round one of this Pennsylvania battle will likely be decided by the names operating in their shadow.