Starting Where It Ended: Penguins Travel to Philadelphia to Open 26-27 Season
With the full NHL schedule released on July 16th, 2026, teams around the league can now start to understand the impact their programs will have. The biggest news comes from the league-wide expansion to 84 games. While it’s only a two-game increase over prior seasons, the pain and hurt the players go through are already felt to an extreme degree. As teams build around their core players for a decade or longer, many organizations can be predicted, leading to an expectation every time they are on the ice. Pittsburgh, of course, is the exception, as they had a 16-point increase to their record last season, making the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. As Pittsburgh’s schedule was released, right at the front, seemingly in big and bold lettering, was their first game. Traveling to Philadelphia, the Pens will take on the Flyers for a rematch of the Stanley Cup Playoff series they faced off in last season. That series showed the difference between the two organizations, as the Fly Guys already made the necessary switch to younger, faster, and more aggressive talent. The Pens stayed under the leadership of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and while both had good years, it’s hard to continue a franchise under 39-year-olds.
Following the Penguins' road opener against their in-state rivals, they will take on the Montreal Canadiens on October 3rd, opening up their season in PPG Paints Arena. Taking place at 7:00 p.m. EST, it is just the first of three Saturday night home games the black and gold will have in October. Over the course of the season, the Penguins will have 10 Saturday night games in Pittsburgh, reflecting a belief across the NHL that the Pens are back in the mix in the standings and contending. 12% of their season played at home in primetime is perfect for building the confidence and fanbase needed to boost this Pittsburgh team. Three of said Saturday night games are against the Flyers, Hurricanes, and Capitals. A rival, the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and a chance to have a primetime showing of Alex Ovechkin’s last dance against ‘Sid the Kid’ is something no one would want to miss.
Similar to last season, when the Penguins honored their 2016 Stanley Cup Champion team with a 10-year anniversary celebration, there will be another one this season, in January, honoring the 2017 Stanley Cup Champion team. The official date has not been set yet. On November 14th, the Penguins will hold their Penguins Hall of Fame night, when they take on the Senators in Pittsburgh. The team has not yet announced who will be inducted this year, but after the Hall’s physical return a season ago, it’s bound to be a wonderful night. Around Thanksgiving, the Penguins are seemingly the center of attention. They play on November 25th, the eve of Thanksgiving, against the Calgary Flames, and then appear on the ice just three days later on the 28th, as they take on the Maple Leafs. The Penguins also open up the new year with a 6:00 p.m. EST game against the Wild on New Year's Day, in Pittsburgh. The Steel City, while also known for its celebrations, will host the Washington Capitals following their Saint Patrick's Day parade on March 13th, 2027. It will be a while before we get a good view of how the Penguins will perform in 26-27, but there’s no better way to kick off a season than against your biggest rival.
