Beaver Stadium will host Penn State hockey for the program’s first outdoor doubleheader on January 31, 2026, with the Nittany Lions men facing Michigan State and the women taking on Robert Morris. It’s a historic milestone for PSU hockey and its campus community as the sport expands into a football cathedral.

The announcement comes amid Beaver Stadium’s $700 million renovation and fuels speculation about an NHL cross-sell—Penguins vs Flyers—after the revamp, while Gavin McKenna’s high-profile NIL money adds intrigue to PSU’s recruiting and visibility on the national stage.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be featured in 16 national TV games in 2025-26, underscoring their enduring visibility even as they chase a return to the playoffs. The slate spreads across ESPN, ABC, ESPN+/Hulu and TNT, highlighted by a 10/7 opener at the Rangers and a home opener 10/9 vs the Islanders. Local coverage remains with SNP, Josh Getzoff, Colby Armstrong and Phil Bourque, plus SNP360 streaming for a buck for 30 days. Radio on 105.9 The X roars as Rupp shifts to a more national focus, leaving Armstrong and Bourque in the rotation.

Beyond the Penguins, the national lineup features meetings with the Rangers, Flyers, Capitals, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Golden Knights, Bruins, Avalanche and Islanders, shaping DFS angles and fantasy projections around high-profile matchups and marquee opponents. The comprehensive schedule provides fans and fantasy managers multiple opportunities to target top-line Penguins and key rivals on big stages.

Philadelphia's three-year rebuild has yielded a consensus top-10 NHL pipeline, led by Matvei Michkov and a deep 2025 class (Porter Martone, Jack Nesbitt, Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, Shane Vansaghi, Matthew Gard). Pronman slots Philly No. 7, highest in the Metro, after an A-grade draft haul that fortifies depth behind a budding core.

Bonk and Luchanko anchor the back end, Zavragin offers goalie upside, and Zegras is invoked as a homecoming thread in the broader rebuild narrative. A Sept. 8 top-20 breakdown should sharpen the fantasy picture as the system converts toward NHL impact.

Philly’s 2025-26 outlook hinges on a bold mix: Trevor Zegras shifts the floor and offense up a notch, Dan Vladar shores up the crease, and Matvei Michkov continues his rapid development as Philadelphia bets on an elevated attack with young talent. The NHL’s national TV slate shows the Flyers will remain a marketable draw, with 14 national games and several top-market showdowns, including a December duel with Buffalo and a Bedard showdown in Chicago.

Key scheduling notes: Oct. 28 vs Pittsburgh kicks off national exposure in the Frozen Frenzy, followed by a December stretch with Buffalo and the Bedard-Chicago matchup on TNT. The month-to-month grind features notable dates against the Rangers, Bruins, Capitals, and divisions rivals, plus a potential playoff push in April. The storyline blends a refreshed lineup with big-name rivalries, all shaping fantasy value across forward lines and goaltending.