PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Penguins released their full 2026-27 regular-season schedule this afternoon, another sign that hockey season will be here before we know it. And for the first time ever, hockey fans will be treated to 84 games instead of the 82 that have been the norm since the mid 90’s. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s schedule features 15 back-to-backs, the most of any team in the NHL.
Here are five of the Penguins’ biggest home games that fans should plan to attend once the season gets underway in late September.
1. Montreal Canadiens - Oct. 3rd, 2026
After opening the season where last year ended in Philadelphia, the Penguins will return to the west side of Pennsylvania to face the Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena. Coming off a miracle run that saw it fall in the Eastern Conference Final after winning two Game 7’s in a row, Montreal’s talented young core will definitely create an interesting matchup for Pittsburgh.
Stars like Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki are always entertaining to watch, as is up-and-coming goalie Jakub Dobes. The two teams met three times last season, twice in Pittsburgh, with the Habs taking two of those matchups. Pittsburgh’s lone win of the season series came in a shootout on home ice.
2. Florida Panthers - Oct. 22nd, 2026
The Penguins easily dispatched the Panthers in back-to-back home games late in the season in 2025-26, but things likely won’t be so one-sided this time around.
After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season largely due to injuries to core players, the Panthers have spent this offseason making moves to put them back in the running as a Cup favorite in 2026-27. In a flurry of moves, Florida acquired major assets in forward Brady Tkachuk, goalie Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Radko Gudas without giving up much in the way of key pieces at the same time.
Fully healthy, as would be expected so early in the campaign, the Panthers retooled squad possesses a level of star power fans won’t want to miss.
3. Carolina Hurricanes - Dec. 29th, 2026
Just before New Years Eve, the Penguins will welcome former Penguin Jordan Staal and his defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes to Pittsburgh. The matchup will mark the second of three games between the two squads between December 26th and January 7th.
Based on last season’s battles, this contest will likely either be a close game that comes down to the wire or a completely one-sided affair. The first time the Pens and Canes faced off in 2025-26, Pittsburgh handily won 5-1 on home ice, but went on to lose the next three head-to-head matchups the rest of the year.
If the Penguins can rewrite that script in 2026-27, it would certainly help their chances at capturing a Metropolitan division title.
4. Edmonton Oilers - Jan. 3rd, 2027
Sidney Crosby vs Connor McDavid. What’s not to love?
Since it’s very unlikely the two stars will meet in the Stanley Cup Final come June, this will probably be the only time Pittsburgh fans will get the chance to see them share the ice in person. Plus, it's very likely McDavid will show out against the Penguins, as he often has.
In 18 career games vs the Penguins, McDavid has totaled 11 goals and 23 assists all-time and holds a dominant plus/minus of +14. On the other hand, Crosby has been less effective against the Oilers throughout his career, racking up 27 points in as many games against them with a lowly -5 plus/minus rating.
Sure, the matchup doesn’t carry the same weight as Crosby vs Ovi will this season, but the battle will still be a treat to watch no matter how the game ultimately ends. Speaking of Crosby and Alex Ovechkin…
5. Washington Capitals - March 13th, 2027
The NHL, especially the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, hyped up Alex Ovechkin’s visit to Pittsburgh last April as being his last.
Then, that idea was completely thrown out the window when Washington announced it re-signed “The Great Eight” to a one-year deal, confirming that he’d be back for one more season. And this time — though Ovechkin hasn’t officially said so — all signs are pointing to it being his farewell tour. He is 40 years old after all, and by the time this game gets underway he’ll be 41.
Unlike Ovi’s most recent game at PPG Paints Arena, this one will certainly have playoff implications for both sides, which will only add to the hype already surrounding what will likely be Ovi’s final appearance in the Steel City (barring a Penguins - Capitals meeting in the postseason).
