Honestly, trying to keep track of the Pens this season feels like a full-time job. One night they’re looking like a lottery team, and the next, Sidney Crosby is turning back the clock and making the Philadelphia Flyers look like a junior varsity squad. If you’re checking the score of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game right now, you’re likely looking for the result of their latest Battle of Pennsylvania or wondering when they hit the ice next.
As of Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, the Penguins are fresh off a massive win. They absolutely handled the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, January 15, with a final score of 6-3. It was a game they desperately needed to stop a nasty three-game slide.
Breaking Down the Last Game Score
The 6-3 victory over Philly wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Sidney Crosby led the way—as he usually does against the Flyers—notching a goal and an assist. This particular goal was a milestone, marking his 60th career regular-season goal against Philadelphia. That's a league record for the most goals by a single player against that franchise.
Pittsburgh's power play, which has been a bit of a rollercoaster this year, finally woke up. They converted three times with the man advantage. Justin Brazeau, Bryan Rust, and Crosby all found the back of the net while up a man. Egor Chinakhov, who has been a solid addition since coming over from Columbus, chased Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson early in the second period after making it 4-0.
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Stuart Skinner was steady enough in net, stopping 30 of 33 shots. While the Flyers managed to put a few past him late in the third through Matvei Michkov and Nick Seeler, the game was never really in doubt.
When is the next Pittsburgh Penguins game?
If you are looking for a live score right now on Saturday, January 17, you’re a little early. The Penguins are scheduled to host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at PPG Paints Arena.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST.
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This is a big one for the standings. Columbus has been surprisingly scrappy this season, and the Penguins are currently hovering right around that wild-card bubble. A win tonight would give them their first winning streak in a couple of weeks and some much-needed momentum before they head out on a tough Western Canada road trip.
Upcoming Penguins Schedule (January 2026)
After tonight’s tilt with the Blue Jackets, the team catches a flight out west. These late-night starts are always a killer for fans in Pittsburgh, but that’s the reality of the January grind.
- Monday, Jan 19: at Seattle Kraken (4:00 PM EST - Rare afternoon game!)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: at Calgary Flames (8:30 PM EST)
- Thursday, Jan 22: at Edmonton Oilers (8:00 PM EST)
- Sunday, Jan 25: at Vancouver Canucks (5:00 PM EST)
The back-to-back against Calgary and Edmonton is going to be the real litmus test for this roster. Facing Connor McDavid on the second half of a back-to-back is basically the NHL's version of a final exam.
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Why the Recent Scores Matter for the Standings
Basically, the Metropolitan Division is a total bloodbath this year. Every time the Penguins lose two in a row, they seem to drop three spots in the standings. Before the 6-3 win over Philly, they had only managed to score two goals combined over three games. That offensive drought was starting to panic the local media.
The return of Crosby to the scoresheet is the biggest takeaway. When #87 is producing, the rest of the lineup—guys like Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell—seems to find more space. Malkin actually picked up two assists in the last game, showing he's still got that elite vision even if he isn't skating as fast as he did in 2009.
What to Watch for Tonight
Keep an eye on the goaltending rotation. With Stuart Skinner starting on Thursday, we might see Arturs Silovs get the nod tonight against Columbus to keep everyone fresh for the travel day tomorrow. Also, watch the "new guys." Chinakhov and Tommy Novak have been integrated into the middle six, and their secondary scoring is the only way this team makes the playoffs.
If the power play can stay hot—they've now got nine power-play goals in their last 12 games—they should handle the Jackets. Columbus struggles on the penalty kill, sitting near the bottom of the league at roughly 74%.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the starting goalie: Always confirm the starter around 6:30 PM EST via the Penguins' official social media or beat writers like Josh Yohe, as the betting lines often shift late.
- Tune in early: For tonight's Columbus game, the pre-game broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh starts at 6:30 PM.
- Set your DVR: If you plan on watching the Seattle or Vancouver games, double-check the start times, as the NHL has several "matinee" starts scheduled for the upcoming week.