Penguins
Penguins National TV Schedule: Crosby vs. McDavid, 13 National Games
The NHL and its TV partners released their exclusive TV schedules on Thursday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will appear 11 times on the league’s new broadcast and internet partners, including three games you’ll have to pay to see.
If you get Hulu, you can binge Scrubs and Community for the third time since the pandemic began (Oh wait, that’s me).
The Penguins opening game vs. the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on ESPN, and the apps and TNT have the Penguins eight times, but just three on ESPN+/Hulu (you may like that).
TNT will grab the Sidney Crosby vs. Connor McDavid, Penguins vs. Edmonton Oilers game on Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. The Penguins play again on TNT, which added Rick Tocchet to their broadcast team Tuesday, on Jan. 5, when they host the St. Louis Blues at PPG Paints Arena.
On March 23, the Penguins at Buffalo Sabres should have hockey fans tongues wagging and ratings through the roof (you may note the sarcasm there). The Penguins are the second part of an afternoon doubleheader on April 10, when they host the Nashville Predators at 4 p.m.
The last of the Penguins’ five games on TNT is the final TNT regular-season game when the Penguins hop the turnpike for the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, April 24, also at 4 p.m.
Edmonton, St. Louis, Nashville, Buffalo, and finally, the Philadelphia Flyers. The national TNT audience won’t get the good Penguins games until the end, will they?
The 2021-2022 season will showcase 103 exclusive regular-season games across ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and ABC. In addition, more than 1,000 out-of-market games will be available on ESPN+.
Beginning October 12, ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu become the destination for Tuesday night hockey throughout the regular season. ESPN+ and Hulu will also showcase an exclusive game every Friday night until January, then every Thursday night for the remainder of the regular season. ABC will regularly carry Saturday games beginning in February.
The Penguins have a trio of games on the ESPN+ app and Hulu, including Sidney Crosby at Alex Ovechkin (that’s how the network is billing it. We prefer the Penguins at the Capitals) matchup on Friday, Dec. 10.
On Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, it’s the Penguins at the Philadelphia Flyers. Thursday, April 7, is the Penguins at the New York Rangers, and on April 26, ESPN+/Hulu will have Round 2 between McDavid and Crosby at PPG Paints Arena.
Despite the Olympic break, you can still catch the All-Star Skills competition. ESPN will also carry the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Friday, February 4, in primetime from Las Vegas.
ESPN Exclusive schedule involving the Penguins
Oct. 12: Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning
ESPN will not have another exclusive game involving the Penguins.
ABC National Telecasts:
Feb. 26, 3 p.m. ABC, ESPN+: Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers
April 2, 3 p.m. ABC, ESPN+: Pittsburgh Penguins at Colorado Avalanche
April 9, 3 p.m. ABC, ESPN+: Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins
TNT:
Dec. 1, 10 p.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins at Edmonton Oilers
Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m.: St. Louis Blues at Pittsburgh Penguins
March 23, 7:30 p.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres
April 10, 4 p.m.: Nashville Predators at Pittsburgh Penguins
April 24, 4 p.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
ESPN+/HULU
Dec. 10, 7 p.m.: Penguins at Washington Capitals
Jan. 6, 7 p.m. Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
April 7, 7 p.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers
April 26: 7 p.m: Edmonton Oilers at Pittsburgh Penguins