Connor Bedard vs. Sidney Crosby. Is there a better way to kick off the season?
Opening night in the NHL is tonight, and the league is giving the fans a treat to start the 2023-24 campaign. Fans do not have to wait any longer to see Bedard, the No. 1 pick in this summer's draft, as the highly touted prospect makes his official Blackhawks debut tonight.
Bedard is considered to be the next generational talent in the league, and will get to put his skills to the test against Crosby, a star who had the same hype surrounding him when he was a prospect nearly 20 years ago.
The Blackhawks rookie grew up watching the Penguins captain, who has brought three Stanley Cups to Pittsburgh. Now, the two will face off against one another in the first primetime game of the season.
MORE: Watch Blackhawks vs. Penguins live on Fubo (free trial)
Here is how fans can watch the Blackhawks and Penguins on NHL opening night.
What channel is Blackhawks vs. Penguins on today?
- TV Channel (U.S): ESPN
- TV Channel (Canada): Sportsnet, TVA Sports
- Live stream (U.S.): ESPN+, Fubo
- Live stream (Canada): Sportsnet+
ESPN has coverage of the Blackhawks vs. Penguins game on Tuesday evening. The Pittsburgh-Chicago contest is one of three games that the network has on opening night.
ESPN's "A-team" will be on the call for Bedard's debut, as Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Ray Ferraro (analyst) and Emily Kaplan (reporter) will be the broadcast team for Blackhawks vs. Penguins.
The game can be streamed through ESPN+, or with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
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In Canada, Sportsnet will be bringing the action to TVs. TVA Sports also will have the game for the French-speaking audience. Cord cutters can catch the action through Sportsnet+.
Blackhawks vs. Penguins start time
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 10
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The Blackhawks and Penguins are set for puck drop at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT in Chicago.
The game is being played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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NHL Opening Night schedule 2023
The Blackhawks-Penguins game is sandwiched between two other opening-night matchups.
The first game on the docket is a matchup between the Predators and the Lightning. Tampa Bay starts this year without star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is expected to miss the first two months of the season after undergoing back surgery.
After the Blackhawks-Penguins contest, the Golden Knights vs. Kraken to wrap up the evening. Before the game in Vegas, the Golden Knights will hold a ceremony to raise their 2023 Stanley Cup banner.
Tuesday, Oct. 10
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Predators at Lightning | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Blackhawks at Penguins | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Kraken at Golden Knights | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
