It is a massive Saturday for the 412. If you are scrambling to figure out what channel is the pittsburgh game on tonight, you are likely looking for one of two things: the Penguins taking the ice at PPG Paints Arena or the Pitt Panthers hosting a ranked ACC rival at the Pete.
Honestly, it’s one of those nights where you probably need two screens. Between the NHL action and a critical conference matchup for the Panthers, Pittsburgh sports fans have their hands full. Here is exactly where you need to turn your dial (or click your remote) to catch every minute of the action tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Puck Drop and TV Info
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back home tonight at PPG Paints Arena. They are facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that has been a thorn in their side lately with three straight games between these two going into extra time earlier this season.
- Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST
- Primary TV Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSNOH)
- National Streaming: ESPN+
- Radio: 105.9 The X (The Fan)
The Penguins have been holding steady lately, coming off a solid 6-3 win over the Flyers. If you are watching from within the Pittsburgh market, you'll likely be looking for the local regional sports network, but for most of the country, ESPN+ is your best bet to stream this one live. Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell are the ones to watch tonight—Crosby has been leaning hard into the veteran leadership role as the Pens fight for playoff positioning in a crowded Metropolitan Division.
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Pitt Panthers vs. No. 20 Louisville: A Massive ACC Showdown
If basketball is more your speed, the Petersen Events Center is going to be rocking. The Pitt Panthers (8-9, 1-3 ACC) are hosting the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals (12-5, 2-3 ACC). This isn't just another January game; it’s a chance for Pitt to prove they can hang with the ranked teams after a huge 23-point blowout win over Georgia Tech earlier this week.
- Tip-off: 8:00 PM EST
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Live Stream: WatchESPN or the ESPN App
- Radio: 93.7 The Fan
Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander will be on the call for ESPN2. Brandin Cummings is the name you’ll hear a lot tonight; he’s coming off back-to-back 20-point games and looks like he’s finally found his rhythm. Louisville has stumbled a bit, losing three of their last four, so the "Oakland Zoo" is going to be looking for blood.
What Happened to the Steelers Game?
You might have seen some old schedules floating around or heard chatter about a Steelers playoff game today. To be clear: The Steelers are not playing tonight. Pittsburgh’s postseason run unfortunately came to an end on Monday, January 12, when they fell to the Houston Texans 30-6 at Acrisure Stadium. While the NFL Divisional Round is happening today—with the Bills at Broncos on CBS at 4:30 PM and the 49ers at Seahawks on FOX at 8:00 PM—the Black and Gold are officially in offseason mode, looking ahead to their 2026 opponents.
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Streaming Guide: How to Watch if You Don't Have Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. For the Pitt game on ESPN2, you can use any major streaming service that carries sports:
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes ESPN2 and usually local FOX/CBS affiliates.
- YouTube TV: A fan favorite for sports because of the "Key Plays" feature.
- FuboTV: Great for regional sports, though check your local listings for the Penguins game.
- Sling TV: The Orange package gets you ESPN2 for the Panthers.
For the Penguins game, unless you have a cable package with the regional sports network, ESPN+ is the go-to. Just keep in mind that blackout restrictions apply if you live in the immediate Pittsburgh or Columbus areas.
Betting Odds and What to Expect
The oddsmakers aren't doing the Panthers many favors tonight. Louisville opened as a 7.5-point favorite. However, Pitt has covered the spread in about half of their games this season, and playing at home gives them a notorious "Pete" advantage that's hard to quantify.
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On the ice, the Penguins are favored over Columbus, mostly because the Blue Jackets have struggled to finish games in regulation. Look for a high-energy start from the Pens' top line.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check your ESPN+ login now. Don't be the person resetting their password while the first period is already ten minutes in.
- Download the 93.7 The Fan app. If you have to run errands, the radio broadcast with Bill Hillgrove for Pitt or the legendary Pens crew is the best way to stay connected.
- Sync your DVR. Since the games overlap (7:00 PM for hockey and 8:00 PM for hoops), set one to record so you don't miss the second-half comeback or the third-period clincher.
Tonight is a quintessential Pittsburgh sports night. Whether you're watching the ice or the hardwood, the channels are set: ESPN2 for the Panthers and ESPN+ or FanDuel Sports Network for the Pens.