Captain Crunch: Couturier sets the tone for Flyers to smash Penguins in Game 1

PITTSBURGH —  Sean Couturier didn't wait long to set an example. 

It was the first shift of the first Flyers playoff game in six years, and he and fellow fourth liners Luke Glendening and Garnet Hathaway — the three guys with the most playoff experience on the roster — were asked to start the game and set the tempo. 

Just 40 seconds in, Couturier laid a hit on Parker Wotherspoon behind the Penguins net, forcing the defensemen to lose his stick.

It was the first of 17 hits in the first period for the Flyers. Couturier would be credited with five of them. 

He would finish with seven in the game. The Flyers would amass 40, one fewer than Pittsburgh's 41. 

And while playoff games are often more physical than regular season games, when the Flyers and Penguins get together, it's another level. 

It was important, though, for Couturier to set the tone. With so many Flyers players making their playoff debuts, there was a worry that the stage might be too big for them. 

Spoiler alert, it wasn't.

The Flyers defeated the Penguins 3-2.  Goals by Jamie Drysdale, Travis Sanheim and Porter Martone were what won the game for the Flyers on the scoreboard, but what won the game for the Flyers on the ice was their commitment to their physical game, and Couturier was front and center.  

Head coach Rick Tocchet, defenseman Travis Sanheim and forwards Sean Couturier and Porter Martone met with the media following a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh in Game One.#PHIvsPIT | #IgniteTheOrange

— x - Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 19, 2026

"I think he understands playoff hockey more than anyone on our team," Sanheim said of his long-time teammate. "He did a great job of setting the tone early and just made little plays throughout the game, managing it, doing the little things right and that what we need from him."

With Couturier leading by example, others followed. No one was afraid to throw their weight around. Of the 18 skaters dressed for the game, 16 were credited with at least one hit and 10 were credited with multiple hits. 

And it was a physical play that lead to Drysdale's goal. 

Owen Tippett completely separated Blake Lizotte from the puck behind the net to regain possession and keep the play alive, several seconds later, the Flyers were ahead 1-0. 

It wasn't the only big hit by Tippett either:

Owen Tippett laid a hard hit on Connor Dewar in center ice. Dewar went down the Penguins’ tunnel. pic.twitter.com/FFc64Ywyga

— Andrew Coté (@acote_88) April 19, 2026

"In the playoffs, everyone kind of steps up their intensity, so I was just trying to have an impact in any way I could early on," Couturier said. "As a team, we were ready for that."

And it was important for the young players to see it, too. 

Take Denver Barkey, for example. Barkey is the smallest guy on the ice. But he's never let that deter him. He picked up an assist on Drysdale's goal and he also set the screen to stop Pens goalie Stuart Skinner from seeing the shot.

Barkey also took on a player more than a foot taller than him (Pittsburgh's 6-foot-8 winger Elmer Soderblom) and won a 50/50 battle against him in the corner. 

A former captain in junior hockey with the London Knights, Barkey followed the lead of his current captain with his style of play.

Forwards Denver Barkey and Trevor Zegras and defensemen Jamie Drysdale and Rasmus Ristolainen met with the media following Saturday night's Game One victory.#PHIvsPIT | #IgniteTheOrange

— x - Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 19, 2026

"That fearlessness aspect, being a smaller guy, sometimes you're on a shorter leash, so make sure you go in the corner and show you're not scared," Barkey said. "My compete (level) and being able to come out of corners with the puck is a strength of mine, so I'm not shying away from any guys, no matter how big they are."

Barkey said it's easier to play that way when he sees guys like Couturier playing the way he was playing to start the game. 

"These are our veteran leaders and they've been through it (before)," Barkey said. "They led that way with how they are talking in the room and obviously, their play on the ice — throwing their body around and kind of sacrificing it." 

The Flyers are going to need to replicate this repeatedly if they want to stick around for a while this postseason, and while it took until the second period for the Penguins to really start to hit back, rest assured, with their backs against the wall going into Game 2, it's probably going to get even more intense. 

But Couturier believes in his team — and they believe in each other. 

Sitting on the podium after the game, wearing a black t-shirt with the Bernie Parent mask on the front and the number 3.8% on the sleeve to remind everyone that that's what their percent chase was to make the playoffs on March 10, Couturier said whatever comes at them, they're prepared for it.

"Everyone was ready," he said. "Everyone prepared themselves for this moment. Like I said (Saturday) morning, we've been playing some big games for the last month-and-a-half. Meaningful games. Must-win games. We're up to the test."

For one night in Pittsburgh, that was certainly the case.