Hockey fans in Pennsylvania, get ready for a playoff series that's been years in the making. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are set to renew their bitter rivalry tonight, kicking off their first-round NHL playoff battle. For the Flyers, it marks a long-awaited return to the postseason after missing out since 2020. For the Penguins, it's a statement that their veteran core still has plenty of fight left. The intensity of this matchup promises to deliver classic playoff hockey.

However, if you're planning your night around the scheduled 8 p.m. ET start time, you might want to grab an extra snack. As is common during the NHL playoffs, the actual puck drop is expected to be delayed. Insider reports indicate the game won't truly begin until approximately 8:25 p.m. ET. This extra time allows for the extended pre-game ceremonies that make the Stanley Cup Playoffs so special, and helps broadcasters manage back-to-back game schedules for optimal viewing.

So, set your reminders for a later start, settle in, and prepare for what should be a physical and emotional opening chapter in this historic Keystone State rivalry. The wait will be worth it once these two teams finally hit the ice.