The Penguins’ December schedule centers around a crucial run of home games:
- Dec 3: vs Florida Panthers
- Dec 9: vs Anaheim Ducks
- Dec 11: vs Montreal Canadiens
- Dec 13: vs San Jose Sharks
- Dec 14: vs Utah Mammoth
- Dec 16: vs Edmonton Oilers
That’s a six-game block in Pittsburgh, with a five-game true “homestand” tucked inside it. For a team trying to climb the standings, this is prime time to stack points without all the wear and tear of constant travel.
Let’s go matchup by matchup.
December 3: Panthers at Penguins – Cup Pedigree Comes to Town
The month starts with a bang as the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers roll into PPG Paints Arena. Reuters
Florida has turned into one of the league’s toughest, most battle-tested teams—heavy forecheck, deep scoring, and a defense that doesn’t give you much space. This game is a classic “how do we measure up?” night for Pittsburgh:
- Can the Penguins’ power play solve a tight, structured Panthers penalty kill?
- Will the veteran core rise to the moment in a playoff-like atmosphere?
- Does Pittsburgh’s speed game hold up against a Florida team that’s been there, done that, and lifted the Cup… twice?
Banking an early December win against a champion-caliber opponent would be a massive confidence booster.
December 9: Ducks at Penguins – Youth, Speed, and Chaos
A few nights later, the Anaheim Ducks arrive—one of the youngest, most unpredictable teams in the league. When the Ducks are rolling, they can absolutely light it up; they’ve already shown they’re capable of big offensive nights with breakout performances from players like Mikael Granlund and their young core. Reuters
For Pittsburgh, this one is all about:
- Discipline: Stay out of the box and don’t let Anaheim’s skill guys take over.
- Experience vs. youth: The Pens’ veteran poise should be an edge late in tight games.
This could easily be one of those “5–4, last-shot-wins” kind of nights.
December 11: Canadiens at Penguins – Classic Jersey, Classic Rivalry Vibes
Anytime the Montreal Canadiens are in town, it just feels like hockey. Original Six history, loud traveling fans, plus all the nostalgia that comes with those red, white, and blue jerseys.
Montreal is in a retooling phase built around promising young talent, but they’re dangerous when they get rolling. For the Penguins, this is the kind of game you simply have to handle at home if you want to stay in the playoff mix:
- Take care of business early.
- Don’t let Montreal’s young forwards gain confidence.
- Turn PPG Paints Arena into a true home-ice advantage.
December 13: Sharks at Penguins – Home Ice and a Big Night for the Fans
Next up: the San Jose Sharks, a team in transition but still fully capable of playing spoiler on any given night.
What makes this matchup pop is what’s happening around the game. The Penguins’ 2025–26 promotional schedule has Sidney Crosby’s “Big Three Legacy” bobblehead night tied to a December home game, rewarding fans with part of a three-piece collectible honoring Crosby, Malkin, and Letang’s 20 seasons together. PensBurgh
That means:
- The building will be loud, packed, and emotional.
- It’s a perfect setup for a big statement performance from the core.
- The energy in the arena could give Pittsburgh an extra boost against a rebuilding opponent.
These are the games where good teams don’t just win—they dominate.
December 14: Utah Mammoth at Penguins – The New Guys Come to Town
Then comes something fresh: the Utah Mammoth.
Utah is one of the NHL’s newest identities, evolving from the relocated Arizona franchise into a full-fledged brand with its own name, look, and growing fan base. CBS Sports+1
For Penguins fans, this matchup is fun for a few reasons:
- It’s a chance to see a new logo and a new era team live for the first time.
- Utah has already shown flashes of offensive firepower and can surprise teams that take them lightly. Reuters
- It breaks up the usual cycle of familiar Eastern Conference opponents with something different and intriguing.
From the Pens’ standpoint, though, the message is simple: no freebies. These are two points you absolutely need to lock down on home ice.
December 16: Oilers at Penguins – McDavid vs. Crosby, One More Time
Circle this one. Highlight it. Put a star next to it.
On December 16, the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid come to town to face Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in a matchup the league itself has highlighted on its 2025–26 “dates of interest” list. NHL Media
You’ve got:
- McDavid’s ridiculous speed and playmaking.
- Crosby’s all-around brilliance and leadership.
- Two fanbases that travel and tune in.
- A national TV feel in the middle of the regular season.
Beyond the star power, this game matters in the standings. Edmonton is a perennial threat out West, and stealing points from them on home ice is a big statement about where Pittsburgh stands among the league’s contenders.
Road Tests: Chicago, Tampa, and Dallas
It’s not all home cooking, though. December also features:
- A trip to Chicago, taking on a Blackhawks team built around phenom Connor Bedard, who’s already putting up highlight-reel performances and milestone nights early in his career. Reuters
- A matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, still a measuring stick franchise thanks to their Cup pedigree and core of elite talent.
- A game against the Dallas Stars, one of the league’s most balanced teams, with deep forward lines and strong goaltending.
Those games away from Pittsburgh will say a lot about how “portable” the Penguins’ game really is. Can they win in tough buildings against high-end competition? If they can grab even three or four points from those road challenges, it’ll feel like a win.
Why December 2025 Really Matters
By the time December hits, the NHL season is no longer “early.” Teams know who they are. The margin for error in the standings starts getting thinner, and every homestand starts feeling like an opportunity you can’t waste.
For the Penguins, this month offers:
- A chance to bank points at home in front of their own fans.
- Multiple matchups against Cup contenders (Panthers, Oilers, Lightning, Stars). Reuters+1
- Spotlight games packed with storylines, promos, and star power that can set the tone heading into the new year.
If they come out of December with a strong record, the Pens won’t just be “in the mix”—they’ll be sending a clear message to the rest of the league: Pittsburgh is still a problem.
Final Thought
Whether you’re watching from your couch, a local bar in the Burgh, or in the stands at PPG Paints Arena, December 2025 is shaping up to be one of those months where you don’t want to miss many games.
Circle the dates. Charge the remote. Get the jersey ready.
Because if the Penguins seize this stretch the way they can, we might look back at December as the moment their season really took off.