No shade needed: Sanheim thrives under playoff lights in Flyers Game 1 win

PITTSBURGH — The lights shining on the press conference table in the media room at PPG Paints Arena are a bit harsh. 

So, when Tavis Sanheim sat behind the microphone as the final speaker of the night following the Flyers impressive 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday, he furrowed his brow some in order to see through the light to see the writers who were asking him questions. 

That look, though, made him look intense. Made him look like he was uber-focused and not his typical, pleasant self. 

It was a fierce expression, one that could easily have been mistook for the demeanor of a crusty and cantankerous veteran who was about to tell us all how this was just one win, and not to make too much of it because it's a long series. 

And while that ultimately may be true, it was a relief, once Sanheim spoke, to realize that he was just bothered by the bright fluorescents that were probably installed by the same electricians who install them in every dentist's office in North America.

Yet, while the same affable guy was on the dais after all, the one that was on the ice was a little bit different, and that version of Sanheim, wasn't bothered by the bright lights at all.

He still logged big minutes. He still scored a huge goal. He still shut down the best players on the opposition, but he also played a little meaner. A little more physical. A little more nasty. 

So did the rest of his teammates, but for Sanheim, it was especially noticeable.    

"In these playoff games you have to play uncomfortable and do some stuff that you normally do not do," coach Rick Tocchet said. "[Sanheim's] played well for us all year. Tonight he obviously played a ton of minutes. To play physical like that, that's hard. And then to try to supply offense and kill penalties, it's a tough night. 

"He really led with his physicality for us and obviously (scored) a hell of a goal."

Sanheim played 23:20, second-most of any skater on the ice for either team behind only his defensive partner Rasmus Ristolainen (25:00). Sanheim would have likely played more had he not had to serve two minor penalties, the second of which came with the Flyers up two goals with a little over a minute remaining in the game where his physical play got under the skin of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to the point where the two Olympic teammates for Team Canada got into a nasty exchange of slashes and cross-checks.

Crosby and Sanheim were going at it 👀 pic.twitter.com/xPKSjHrkN8

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 19, 2026

But that's the kind of play the Flyers need from the guy they are counting on to be their No. 1 defenseman. Drive the action. Take ownership of the ice. Defend like the devil against the other team's best players. Contribute offensively. 

In Game 1, Sanheim did it all. 

"I think I understand the level that's needed to play in the playoffs and understand the challenge ahead, my job and playing against the top guys," Sanheim said. "I'm just trying to play them hard and as best that I can."

It was a modest response from a guy who turned into a Crosby's personal Game 1 menace and who also scored the biggest goal of the game. 

It would have been the game-winner, had not Bryan Rust been the recipient of a fortunate redirection of the puck off Cam York's glove with 1:01 to play in the game to again make it a one-goal contest. 

Sanheim took a pass from Ristolainen and made a slick move between two aggressive Pittsburgh forwards, creating time and space for himself, and then let off a shot that whistled between Porter Martone, who was setting a screen, and Pittsburgh goalie Stuart Skinner to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes to play. 

SANHEIM WALKS IT AND TAKES THE LEAD BACK FOR THE FLYERS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Mo5VoCHvCn

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 19, 2026

It was a critical goal, because after the Penguins tied the game 1-1, they had taken a little bit of the momentum back at the end of the second period and early in the third. The Flyers weren't on their heels, but they were being forced to play a little more defensively and Pittsburgh was matching their physicality. 

So, a goal was needed, and Sanheim provided it. 

"Not bad," Ristolainen said about his partner. "I don't think there are many players who can do that in that moment — third period, even game — obviously he made a hell of a play."

And in doing so, he helped the Flyers steal a victory in the Steel City in the playoffs and give themselves home ice advantage over the next five games.

But he also knows, that one win does not a series make. Each one going forward will be harder to attain the one previous. It's going to require a certain fortitude to do things outside of comfort zones. It the sacrifice that needs to be made to attain team success. 

"Just having been there before [I understand] they're going to come at you and be physical with you," Sanheim said. "So you need to, when you get the chance, take every opportunity to be physical [back]."

And Sanheim isn't shying away. Instead he wants to thrive when the lights are brightest.