How to watch Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes on October 18, 2024

The 3-2 Pittsburgh Penguins host the 1-1 Carolina Hurricanes for a 7 PM ET puck drop on Friday, October 18, 2024 at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins are coming off of an emotional come-from-behind 6-5 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, October 16. In that game, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin achieved milestone moments of 1,600 points and 500 goals respectively.

Crosby and Malkin may be relieved to check off those memorable milestones so they can focus on the long season ahead. The Hurricanes have been unable to get their regular season momentum going after a cancelled game on October 12 at Tampa Bay due to Hurricane Milton.

How to watch, stream, or listen to Penguins vs. Hurricanes

The game will be nationally televised on the NHL Network and locally televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh, and Bally Sports South. Stream the game on FUBO.

Fans can also listen to the game locally on 105.9 the X or on the Penguins app.

Key statistics

The Hurricanes have only played two games in comparison to the Penguins five so the statistics are a bit skewed. It is worth noting that the Hurricanes have scored five goals in two games and given up six. The Penguins have scored 20 goals and given up 21 through five games.

Penguins gameday decision

With starting goalie Tristan Jarry pulled from Wednesday's game after giving up three goals in the first period, the Penguins have a decision to make on Friday's starting goalie.

In the absence of injured Alex Nedeljkovic, Joel Blomqvist has been steadier than Jarry. He has been thrust into the spotlight and into the NHL earlier than expected.

Fans believe Blomqvist should be the starting goalie until further notice. His stats support the idea. In 167 minutes, he has given up 8 goals compared to Jarry's 12 goals in 131 minutes.

Parting thoughts

The Stanley Cup is not won or lost in October; however, the Penguins are riding a two-game winning streak and the emotional high of Crosby and Malkin's achievements. Capitalizing on these developments with a home win is a positive trend early in the season.

The Hurricanes have not been able to get any traction in the early stages of the season so this is a home game that the Penguins could and should win.

The Penguins trail the 5-2 New Jersey Devils and the 3-0-1 New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division.