The NHL’s schedule-makers are giving the Penguins a chance to start the 2019-20 season off strong with four consecutive home games to open the season.
The league on Tuesday released its full schedule for the season, and the Penguins start with the home opener at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 3 against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Penguins last season were not as dominant as in years past at PPG Paints Arena, going 23-14-4. They did, however, fare better there in the second half.
Their first road trip is Oct. 12, starting with the Minnesota Wild’s home opener. The next night they will be in Winnipeg, their first back-to-back of 2019-20.
Additional schedule highlights:
• Their annual three-game Western Canada road trip is Dec. 17-21, right before the NHL’s holiday break. Their Western U.S. trip is scheduled for late February.
• Per the NHL’s scheduling rules, the Penguins will face each of their Metropolitan Division rivals four times — twice at PPG Paints Arena and twice on the road.
The Penguins’ first meeting with the New York Islanders, who swept them out of the playoffs last season, will be Nov. 7 in New York. Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick last weekend, and the New Jersey Devils will make their first trip to Pittsburgh on Nov. 22. The Washington Capitals won’t come here until March 7.
The Penguins play teams from the Atlantic Division, the other division in their conference, three times. They play each Western Conference team twice.
• The Penguins play host to the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues on Dec. 4.
• Fifteen of the team’s 41 home games will be played on a Saturday or Sunday.
• The Penguins’ final home game will be April 2 against the New York Rangers. Two days later, they will wrap up the regular season against the Senators in Ottawa.
For more ticket information, click here.
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel.
First Published: June 25, 2019, 4:49 p.m.