Penguins to open 2023-24 season against Blackhawks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pittsburgh Penguins will open the 2023-24 season at home against the team that virtually ended their 2022-23 season.
On Tuesday, the NHL announced the entire schedule for the upcoming season, and the Penguins will face the Chicago Blackhawks and potentially forward Connor Bedard, the presumed top overall selection in this year’s draft, at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 10., to open the campaign.
In their second-to-last game this past season, the Penguins suffered a stunning 5-2 home loss to the Blackhawks, a defeat that all but ended the Penguins’ hopes for a playoff berth.
On Oct. 13, the Penguins will face the rival Washington Capitals in a road contest at Capital One Arena.
An early road trip will see them face all three California teams to open November: the San Jose Sharks (Nov. 4), Anaheim Ducks (Nov. 7) and Los Angeles Kings (Nov. 9).
The Penguins’ first game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights will be at home on Nov. 19.
Their traditional home game on “Thanksgiving Eve” will be against the New York Rangers on Nov. 22.
On Dec. 2, they will face the rival Philadelphia Flyers for the first time in a home contest.
Their bye in the schedule will begin Jan. 28 and lead into the NHL’s All-Star break starting Feb. 2.
A swing through the Northwest and Canadian Rockies will start in late February and roll into March: Vancouver Canucks (Feb. 27), Seattle Kraken (Feb. 29), Calgary Flames (March 2) and Edmonton Oilers (March 3).
As the regular season winds down, they will have a four-game road trip around the Metropolitan Division: Columbus Blue Jackets (March 30), Rangers (April 1), New Jersey Devils (April 2) and Capitals (April 4).
Their home finale is against the Nashville Predators on April 15, and they will conclude the regular season two nights later with a road game against the New York Islanders.
Overall, the Penguins will have 12 sets of games on back-to-back dates.
With regard to division foes, the Penguins will face the Carolina Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Islanders, Flyers and Capitals four times each. There only will be three meetings with the Devils and Rangers.
The Penguins' schedule for the 2023-24 season.
They open with the Blackhawks, the team that essentially ended their 2022-23 season. pic.twitter.com/5E5Txl9dVS
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) June 27, 2023
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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