Penguins Kickstart U.S. TV Schedule on Jan. 13; Get 7 National Games

The good folks at NBC released their national TV schedule for the coming 2020-21 NHL season. The Pittsburgh Penguins are no stranger to national TV games because of their star-laden roster, including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but this year will feature a pair of new opponents from the East Division.

Of course, NBC picked a few Penguins vs. Washington Capitals slugfests for their lineup. What season would be complete without Crosby v. Ovechkin montages and seeing just how gray Ovi’s beard has become (no judgment here).

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins will also play the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins before a national TV audience. The Penguins open the U.S. TV schedule when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 13…at 5:30 p.m.

At least it’s not AM, right?

NBCSN Wednesday Night Rivalry / Penguins TV Schedule:

Jan. 13: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers – 5:30 p.m. ET

March 24: Buffalo Sabres vs. Penguins

NHL on NBC

Once a week, NBC Sports will showcase the NHL. The network will show 16 games, once every week on average, during the 2020-21 season, beginning Sunday, Jan. 17. Just as the first Wednesday of the season, the network will feature the Penguins, who will face the Washington Capitals. The Penguins and Washington will also play on Valentine’s Day, just to get some hate going in case you didn’t get any drug store chocolates.

Sun., January 17 – Washington vs. Penguins

Sun., February 14 – Washington vs. Penguins

Sat., April 17 – Penguins vs. Buffalo

Sun., April 25 – Boston vs. Penguins

Good news for hockey fans: the 16 regular-season games are the most-ever on the peacock network.

Sunday Night Hockey on NBC

March 7 – N.Y. Rangers vs. Pittsburgh

The announcing lineup was not named in the NBC release. However, the venerable (and beloved) Doc Emerick retired after the Stanley Cup Final in October. PHN will miss Doc. We also extend our admiration to him for his continued and loyal Pirates fandom.

Perhaps John Forslund will drop a few references in homage.