The Penguins’ schedule promises emotional goodbyes, new beginnings and record-chasing
It’s the dog days of summer, and NHL news is increasingly sparse.
Which is the perfect excuse to look ahead to the 2024-25 regular season calendar so we can start circling our favourite matchups.
While the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely be entering the new season with tempered expectations following a lackluster offseason (so far), there’s no shortage of exciting scenes to play out.
For one, Evgeni Malkin is all but assured to hit major milestones for goals (500), assists (800) and points (1300) early in the campaign, while Sidney Crosby will join the 600-goal and 1600-point clubs.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit tricky to predict exactly what dates those marks will be notched, but there are some guaranteed hits on the schedule.
Here’s the five most noteworthy dates to block off this season, because you’ll seriously regret watching the highlights after the fact:
5. March 9 at Minnesota Wild
This will will likely be Marc-Andre Fleury's last-ever game against his former team. In April, “Flower” signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Wild that is expected to be his last.
The crowd at Xcel Energy Center may not be as crazed as the one at PPG Paints Arena will be on Oct. 29 (see below), but the emotions of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Fleury will be even more heightened knowing the exceptional career nearing its conclusion.
Even if Fleury doesn’t get the starting nod, it’s virtually guaranteed that he’s going to be on the ice post-game to receive the warmest of congratulations from Penguins players. Remember your tissues, it could be a tear-jerker.
4. December 23 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Aside from being the final game before the Christmas break and another installment in the storied Penguins-Flyers rivalry, it may also feature Pittsburgh’s first look at Matvei Michkov, the Flyers’ much-hyped 2023 first-round selection. He recently signed his entry-level contract and is one of the most tantalizing Russian prospects in years thanks to his elite offensive skillset.
If he manages to stick with the Flyers as he is expected to, he might give the aging Penguins a scare, and deliver Pens faithful a glimpse into the damage he might be wreaking on the league for years to come.
3. January 29 at Utah Hockey Club
Although it won’t be the Penguins’ first-ever game against the NHL’s newest city, as they host Utah in Pittsburgh on Nov. 23, their first trip to Salt Lake City will be full of excitement.
It will also be interesting to see how many Pens fans make the trek to the Delta Center; Crosby and Co. routinely attract some of the largest visiting crowds in the league.
2. April 17 vs. Washington Capitals
Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is finally within striking distance in 2024-25.
If everything falls into place, Alex Ovechkin could be shooting for history on the final game of the regular season against his longtime arch-nemesis, Crosby. How poetic of the NHL schedule-makers.
While the history-making potential of this night may be dampened by the fact that Ovechkin only managed 31 goals last year (he needs 41 to tie Gretzky), the idea that he could even be in the ballpark of that record by the end of the season is enough to generate excitement.
1. October 29 vs. Minnesota Wild
Get your tickets fast. For the Penguins' upcoming year, the significance of this date will dwarf all others, at least in sentimental value.
The night will likely mark former stalwart Marc-Andre Fleury’s final game in the Steel City. Expect a warm and raucous reception for the goaltender that has become one of the most endearing and enduring players in the league, and an ultimate fan favourite in Pittsburgh.