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The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins have returned from the midseason break to the tune of very different results.

The Flyers will try to build off a strong performance when they host the scuffling Penguins on Tuesday in the first game of a home-and-home series.

Philadelphia looked strong in its initial game following the league’s two-week pause for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The Flyers thumped the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Saturday as Owen Tippett scored twice and Matvei Michkov notched a goal and an assist.

The team also received key contributions from Andrei Kuzmenko, who notched his first goal since coming over in a trade with Calgary, and Sean Couturier, who registered his 200th career goal.

“Everybody chipped in,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “It was up and down for a little bit, but we didn’t panic, and they made some big plays at key times.”

Prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tippett had missed five games due to an upper-body injury.

“I think the break came at a good time for me,” said the talented winger. “Obviously it (stinks) being out, but luckily it came at a good time and I’m happy to be back now.”

Tippett isn’t the only one.

“Ready for the rest of the season,” Michkov, a rookie who has slumped in recent months, said through an interpreter. “Needed that break.”

The Penguins also needed a break, particularly after a 3-2 defeat to the Flyers in both teams’ last game before the 4 Nations tournament. However, their return to the ice hasn’t exactly provided the desired results either.

Pittsburgh absorbed an 8-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, followed by a 5-3 defeat against the New York Rangers on Sunday, both at home.

The Penguins actually led the Rangers 3-2 after Ryan Shea scored twice early in the third period, but New York tallied three times down the stretch to escape with the win.

“I thought we fought hard,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We didn’t get the result. We’ve got to figure out where we go from here. But it’s not doom and gloom. I think this group understands that type of an attitude doesn’t get us anywhere. So, we’re going to have to dig in here. We’ll keep fighting. We’ll keep battling. We’ll try to get the result the next game.”

That next game is a matchup with a Flyers, who the Penguins pounded 7-3 on Dec. 23 before Philadelphia drew even in the season series on Feb. 8. Tuesday’s meeting — and Thursday’s rematch in Pittsburgh — are the final two encounters between the teams this season.

The Flyers and Penguins currently sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings. Philadelphia (57 points) and Pittsburgh (55) will both need to accumulate points in a hurry to get back into the playoff picture.

“Listen, we understand where we’re at,” Sullivan said. “We know that every game is important. Every two points are important. We’re just going to stay in the moment and keep fighting, and we’re going to fight till the very end. We’re going to do everything we can to stay in the race here.”

–Field Level Media