The NHL draft has come and gone, the dust has largely settled on free agency, and most of the hockey world has retreated north to the cabins. But that doesn’t mean it’s too early to get excited about Penguins hockey in 2024-25.
Pittsburgh, along with the rest of the NHL, recently released their schedule for the upcoming season. The Pens, of course, tabbed recently retired Jeff Carter for release duty, much to the delight of Penguins fans.
While it’s still too early to know for sure which games on the schedule will be the most important — 82 games is a lot of hockey — we feel pretty confident these five games as must-watch in the 2024-25 (with bonus points for those airing on SportsNet Pittsburgh).
Oct. 9 vs. New York Rangers
What a way to start the season. The rival Blueshirts enter the season with earnest Stanley Cup aspirations despite a relatively quiet start to free agency. For the Penguins, it’s a perfect measuring stick out of the gate at home against a team that is favored to win the Metropolitan Division.
Story continues below advertisement
Oct. 29 vs. Minnesota Wild (SNP)
Marc-Andre Fleury has already announced this will be his last season, so expect an emotional night when he makes his final return to PPG Paints Arena. It should be a special night, celebrating the best goalie in Penguins history, who will walk away from the game owning practically every Pens goalie record to go along with his three Stanley Cup rings.
Nov. 23 vs. Utah Hockey Club (SNP)
Don’t call them the Coyotes. Pens fans get their first look Utah’s first NHL team when the “Hockey Club” invades Pittsburgh on a Saturday night in November.
Dec. 23 vs. Philadelphia (SNP)
Season’s greetings! The Penguins get in the holiday spirit by welcoming the hated Flyers to Pittsburgh just a couple of days before Christmas. This is going to be one awesome week for Pittsburgh sports fans, too, with the Steelers playing the Ravens two days before and then hosting the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
April 17 vs. Washington (SNP)
Let’s bookend the list with the final game of the season. This one could be must-see for a couple of reasons. The first is obvious: The Capitals held off the charging Penguins last season to earn a playoff berth while clearing Pittsburgh by just three points. If this season comes down to the wire again, this could be a massive again. There’s also an outside chance history could be at stake. Alexander Ovechkin is just 41 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record. He’s just two years removed from scoring 42, so while it’s a long shot, it *could* be in play.
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images