Goaltending margin: Vladar conceded 0.30 goals above average on 17 shots — in a 1-goal game, that kept Philadelphia's margin intact when Pittsburgh pressed late.

Shot suppression: PHI held PIT to 17 shots on goal while blocking 14 more — limiting Pittsburgh's volume made individual saves routine rather than heroic.

Puck security: Takeaways 5 vs. giveaways 10 is a poor ratio, but PHI forced 15 Pittsburgh giveaways — those turnovers terminated Pittsburgh's offensive sequences before they generated quality attempts.

Goaltending margin: Skinner conceded 1.0 goal above league average on 20 shots — in a 1-goal game decided by three even-strength Philadelphia tallies, that extra goal was the deficit.

Faceoff dominance squandered: PIT won 59.2% of faceoffs but converted that possession advantage into only 17 shots — territorial control never translated into offensive pressure.

Puck management: 15 giveaways against 3 takeaways — Pittsburgh repeatedly handed Philadelphia the puck in dangerous positions, negating whatever zone time the faceoff edge created.