Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins open NHL season on the road against Stanley Cup champs Tampa Bay Lightning

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2021-22 schedule was revealed Thursday evening and they open the regular season on the road against the Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning.

The game will be played Tuesday, Oct. 12. The Lightning will raise their championship banner at the game.

The Penguins will host their first home game at PPG Paints Arena Saturday, Oct. 16 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

There is a pause in the league’s schedule in early February that includes the NHL All-Star Game and the 2022 Winter Olympics. ESPN reports the NHL agreed to have players return to the Olympics in the latest collective bargaining agreement. If either the league or the players association decide to not go to the Olympics, the regular-season schedule will be adjusted.

The new league schedule also did away with last season’s adjusted divisions. Teams revert back to their alignment from the 2019-20 season.

The Seattle Kraken will join the Pacific Division.