If you’re scrambling to find the remote because you can't figure out what channel is the penguins on tonight, you aren't alone. It's a rivalry night. The Philadelphia Flyers are in town at PPG Paints Arena, and because this is a "Battle of Pennsylvania," the broadcast situation is a little different than your standard Tuesday night game against a Western Conference team.
Basically, put down the local regional sports network guide for a second.
Tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins game is airing on ESPN. Since it's a national broadcast, the usual SportsNet Pittsburgh feed won't be your primary home if you’re looking for the game on traditional cable. The puck drops at 7:00 PM ET, but you know how these national games go—usually, the actual opening faceoff happens about 10 to 12 minutes after the hour once the intros and national anthems wrap up.
Why the Penguins Aren't on SportsNet Pittsburgh Tonight
It’s kinda annoying when you’re used to one channel and suddenly everything shifts. Normally, you’d just flip to SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) and see Dan Potash or the usual crew. But the NHL loves putting the Penguins and Flyers on the big stage.
Because tonight is an ESPN national exclusive, it means the game is being shown to the entire country. If you’re in Pittsburgh, you’re watching the same feed as someone in Los Angeles or Miami.
👉 See also: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
If you are a cord-cutter, you have options, but you’ve gotta be careful with the "blackout" logic that usually haunts hockey fans. Since this is a national ESPN game, it is widely available on:
- Fubo (You’ll need the package that includes ESPN)
- YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV (The Orange package carries ESPN)
- DirecTV Stream
Honestly, the easiest way if you don't have cable is likely through the ESPN app if you have a login, or a streaming service that carries live sports. Just don't go looking for it on TNT or NHL Network tonight; they’ve got other matchups on their slate.
Scouting the Matchup: Crosby vs. Michkov
There is a lot of buzz around this specific game because of where these teams sit in the standings. Both the Penguins and the Flyers are currently neck-and-neck in the Metropolitan Division, both sitting at 52 points. It’s a literal four-point game.
The big story tonight? Sidney Crosby is chasing history. Again. He’s sitting right on the edge of the 50-point mark for the season. If he hits it tonight—which, let's be real, he usually shows up against Philly—it’ll be the 19th time in his career he's reached that plateau. That would tie him with Alex Ovechkin for the most among active players.
✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
On the other side, you’ve got the Flyers’ young star Matvei Michkov. The kid has been a lightning rod for Philly, though he's cooled off slightly with only one assist in his last five games. The Flyers are also coming off a rough 5-2 loss to Buffalo last night, so they are playing the second half of a back-to-back with travel.
Projected Lineups and Who’s In Net
The Pens are likely sticking with Arturs Silovs in net tonight. He’s been steady, and with the way the defense has been playing in front of him—especially Erik Karlsson, who’s leading all Pens blueliners with 33 points—they’ll need that stability.
Penguins Projected Top Line:
- Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
- Yegor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
The Flyers are dealing with some fatigue. Keep an eye on Travis Konecny; he’s always the guy who tries to get under the Pens' skin. If the game gets chippy early, expect the referees to keep a tight whistle, especially under the national spotlight of ESPN.
🔗 Read more: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
How to Listen if You Can't Watch
Sometimes you're stuck in the car or working late and can't get to a TV. If that's the case, you've still got the radio options. In the Pittsburgh area, you're looking for 105.9 FM The X. It’s the home of the Penguins Radio Network.
If you’re on the move, the Penguins app usually streams the audio feed for free, which is a lifesaver if you're out of range of the local transmitter.
Final Checklist for Tonight's Game
To make sure you don't miss the first goal while scrolling through menus, here is the quick breakdown:
- The Keyword Check: When you ask "what channel is the penguins on tonight," the answer is ESPN.
- Start Time: 7:00 PM ET.
- Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh.
- Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV, or the ESPN App (with credentials).
If you are a betting person, the Pens are currently favorites at around -152. Considering the Flyers played last night and the Penguins have had a couple of days to rest since their shootout loss to Tampa Bay, the home ice advantage is real here.
Your next move: Fire up your streaming device or cable box now and make sure your ESPN subscription is active. If you're using a trial for a service like Fubo or Sling, get it authenticated before the 7:00 PM puck drop so you aren't stuck watching a loading circle during the first power play.