After falling short in the Frozen Four last April, Penn State hockey returns to the ice this weekend for the most anticipated season in Nittany Lions’ history. Already with one of the most talented rosters coming out of the spring, the Nittany Lions became the talk of college hockey this summer by adding Canadian superstar Gavin McKenna. Despite battling it out in the highly talented Big Ten, the Blue and White are among the top picks to make a run at the national title this season.
What should Penn State hockey fans expect for the 2025-26 season? We’ve gone through the schedule series-by-series to provide a look ahead at what could be a special season in Hockey Valley.
OCT 4/5 @ No. 14 Arizona State
Jaret:
The Gavin McKenna era of Penn State hockey starts with a bang, with an instant top-15 matchup on the road. It is a tricky start to the most anticipated season in Nittany Lions history, having to face a team they edged out for one of the last NCAA Tournament spots a year ago. The Sun Devils will ice a talented squad yet again, expected to be in the conversation come March. This is also a tricky trip because of the distance, going across multiple time zones. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Penn State struggle at points during this series.
Prediction: Penn State splits (1-1-0)
Patrick:
Penn State enters this season with the highest preseason ranking in school history. Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, and a large number of returning starters are reasons for optimism. In the past few years, Penn State has typically not scheduled the toughest non-conference schedule and tended to focus on getting more home games. This year, the Nittany Lions open with one of the most challenging opening series in recent memory, and it will throw all of the talented freshmen into the fire in a difficult road environment. While Penn State is certainly capable of sweeping Arizona State, I tend to believe that a split on the road while the roster continues to gel is more likely.
Prediction: Penn State splits (1-1-0)
OCT 9/10 vs. Clarkson
Jaret:
This star-studded iteration of the Nittany Lions will introduce themselves to the Pegula crowd to take on a plucky Clarkson team. Clarkson won 24 games last season and ended up making it all the way to the ECAC Finals before falling short. Clarkson should be competitive in the ECAC again this season, but they won’t be a match for Penn State at Pegula.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (3-1-0)
Patrick:
The Nittany Lions will open the season at Pegula in a Thursday/Friday series that will lead into homecoming weekend for Penn State football. The buzz for both games will be extremely high. Clarkson is a solid program and was close to making the NCAA Tournament last season. This could be one of those key non-conference series that will help Penn State in the new NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings behind the scenes if Clarkson is a good team again this season. Penn State should overwhelm from a talent perspective and will pick up the sweep.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (3-1-0)
OCT 17/18 vs. Long Island
Jaret:
The Sharks of Long Island will come to Pegula after posting their first winning record at the Division I level last year, going 20-12-2. That impressive feat saw their coach get poached by Ferris State, a major setback to the six-year-old program. They won’t pose much of a threat to the Lions here.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (5-1-0)
Patrick:
On paper, the talent in this matchup will be too much for Long Island. Don’t be surprised if Penn State scores 6+ goals in both games and may even see a start from backup goaltenders John Seifarth or Josh Fleming. This series will feature the first Saturday home game at Pegula, a ticket that is already going for a pretty penny.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (5-1-0)
OCT 24/25 vs. Stonehill
Jaret:
Another relatively new team will come to Pegula, with the Skyhawks entering their fourth season of Division I play. In the prior three years, they have combined for 14 wins. This one will get ugly for the road team.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (7-1-0)
Patrick:
Another matchup that will feature a lot of goals for the Nittany Lions. There is no reason to not expect blowouts in both games. Stonehill is still a new team to Division I hockey and is not on the same playing field as Penn State. An easy tune-up before Big Ten play begins.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (7-1-0)
OCT 30/31 @ No. 16 Ohio State
Jaret:
Ohio State will ice a solid roster this season, but the arms race at the top of the conference has largely left the Buckeyes behind. Still, their patented disciplined defensive structure will give teams above their weight class trouble, and they’ll likely rack up enough wins to stay somewhat relevant throughout the year.
Prediction: Penn State wins and ties (8-1-1, 1-0-1)
Patrick:
Ohio State surprised plenty of people last season, similar to Penn State, after going from the bottom of the Big Ten to earning a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This season, the Buckeyes are getting more respect in the preseason polls and appear to be right on the bubble to make a return to the NCAA Tournament. This series will be on a Thursday/Friday and will actually lead into the Penn State vs. Ohio State football game on Saturday. That could mean that more Ohio State fans will show up to support the hockey team. However, I think that also means there will sneakily be a lot of Penn State hockey fans in the stands. Penn State takes care of business on the road and, at this point in the season, should be drifting towards No. 1 in the country.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (9-1-0, 2-0-0)
NOV 7/8 @ No. 3 Michigan State
Jaret:
This will easily be the toughest weekend of the year for the Lions. The Spartans answered losing the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes by grabbing the No. 6 overall pick, Porter Martone, to complement No. 4 overall pick Cayden Lindstrom. While they lost star Issac Howard to the NHL, they are still one of–if not the–most talented roster in the sport.
Prediction: Penn State ties and loses (8-2-2, 1-1-2)
Patrick:
Michigan State has won the past two Big Ten regular-season titles and has been a mainstay at the top of the polls and Pairwise rankings the past few years. The addition of Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Porter Martone to an already loaded roster makes them a favorite to win it again. This series will be crucial in the Big Ten title race and possibly the race for an NCAA No. 1 seed. If Penn State can get a win from this series, it will be in great shape moving forward.
Prediction: Penn State splits (10-2-0, 3-1-0)
NOV 14/15 vs. No. 12 Michigan
Jaret:
The Wolverines had a down year a season ago, missing the NCAA Tournament after being swept away at home by the Nittany Lions in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. They made numerous additions to shore up their roster and should be considerably better this year. They’ll be a tough out, but Penn State should handle them at home.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (10-2-2, 3-1-2)
Patrick:
Michigan is always a contender to make the NCAA Tournament and contend for a Frozen Four. The resources and history consistently attract top talent. The matchup is also one that is always a battle for Penn State. But this series won’t have the weird voodoo of Yost, and I think Penn State takes care of business.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (12-2-0, 5-1-0)
NOV 21/22 @ No. 8 Minnesota
Jaret:
Last year was Minnesota’s “all in” year, returning numerous stars. But the Gophers fell short in a heartbreaking first-round NCAA Tournament loss. A lot of talent has moved on, but this is Minnesota; it will always have a very talented roster. Still, it is hard not to see the Gophers taking a step back this year.
Prediction: Penn State splits (11-3-2, 4-2-2)
Patrick:
Minnesota once again will be a top contender to win the Big Ten. While Michigan State and Penn State have gotten all of the headlines by attracting top CHL talent, the Gophers are doing what they always do and have built a team with plenty of talent and depth. I believe this will be a series that Penn State will struggle with, but still find a way to get points.
Prediction: Penn State splits (13-3-0, 6-2-0)
JAN 2/3 RIT (home-and-home)
Jaret:
A home-and-home series will see the Lions take on the Tigers of RIT. RIT recently had its two best years in some time, culminating in an NCAA Tournament berth in 2024. They took a major step back last season and will be breaking in a new head coach this season. While going on the road to a small school like RIT can pose weird challenges, this should be an easy wrap-up to Penn State’s non-conference schedule.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (13-3-2, 4-2-2)
Patrick:
A home-and-home series in the middle of the season is unusual for a team like Penn State, which is a little more geographically isolated than those in the Hockey East or ECAC. RIT will be severely overmatched from a talent perspective, but this will be a good opportunity for the Nittany Lions to get some playing time for deeper bench players and the backup goalies. The Nittany Lions will also have to deal with players like Gavin McKenna leaving for the World Juniors.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (15-3-0, 6-2-0)
JAN 9/10 vs. No.8 Minnesota
Jaret:
The Gophers will return to Pegula for the first time since the memorable series in March of 2025, in which Penn State got a split to help secure an NCAA bid. While Minnesota may gel more as a group after their early-season meeting with the Lions, the home crowd should propel Penn State to a sweep.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (15-3-2, 6-2-2)
Patrick:
This series will be the final one of the season that doesn’t feature the Roar Zone. I think that may take some of the juice out of the building, and Penn State finds itself in a few tight games. We should know by this point in the season where these two teams stand in the Big Ten title race. This could be crucial for both if they want to keep up with Michigan State.
Prediction: Penn State wins and ties (16-3-1, 7-2-1)
JAN 16/17 vs. Notre Dame
Jaret:
For the first time since the 2004-05 season, legendary coach Jeff Jackson won’t be behind the bench for the Fighting Irish. Breaking in a new coach while sporting one of the worst rosters in the conference will be a rough go this season in South Bend.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (17-3-2, 8-2-2)
Patrick:
Notre Dame is the only team in the Big Ten not to be featured in the top 20 of the preseason USCHO poll. The Irish have been a thorn in Penn State’s side at Pegula over the years, but this season the talent level should be enough for the Nittany Lions to cruise.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (18-3-1, 9-2-1)
JAN 23/24 @ No. 20 Wisconsin
Jaret:
Wisconsin is a hard team to figure out heading into this season. The Badgers are coming off a majorly disappointing season, one where they were expected to be near the top of the conference, but finished 13-21-2. There is too much talent on that roster, and they are too well coached to expect another season like that. Expect at least somewhat of a bounce-back year in Madison.
Prediction: Penn State splits (18-4-2, 9-3-2)
Patrick:
Wisconsin went from one of the best teams in the conference two years ago to an absolute disaster last year. I think the No. 20 preseason ranking has more to do with the brand and the conference than whether or not people are actually confident in the Badgers. We should know where Wisconsin stands by this point in the season. Penn State should take this one rather easily in a sleepy Kohl Center.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (20-3-1, 11-2-1)
JAN 31/FEB 1 vs. No.3 Michigan State (Beaver Stadium)
Jaret:
This series will be the series of the college hockey season, and one of the best moments on the sporting calendar, even for neutral fans. This series will feature the first-ever outdoor hockey game played at Beaver Stadium. And it will have two of the best rosters in the sport going at it. Michigan State will take it on Friday night in Pegula, but Penn State will get the win at Beaver Stadium.
Prediction: Penn State splits (19-5-2, 10-4-2)
Patrick:
There is a chance that this is a No. 1 vs No. 2 series in what could end up being one of the biggest games on the college hockey calendar. An expected 100,000 fans and a possible White Out at Beaver Stadium could make this one of the coolest environments the sport has seen. I think one of these games goes to overtime, and wouldn’t it be iconic if that game were in Beaver Stadium?
Prediction: Penn State splits (21-3-2, 12-2-2)
FEB 13/14 @ No. 12 Michigan
Jaret:
Yost Ice Arena had been a house of horrors for Penn State until last March, when the Nittany Lions swept Michigan to punch their ticket to the dance. Still, one weekend does not erase years of nightmares in that building. I think an improved Wolverines squad gives Penn State trouble here:
Prediction: Penn State ties and loses (19-6-3, 10-5-3)
Patrick:
Penn State always struggled at Yost until last spring in the Big Ten Tournament, where the Nittany Lions swept the Wolverines. Michigan will be good once again this season, but I think Penn State will have enough talent to at least win one game.
Prediction: Penn State splits (22-4-2, 13-3-2)
FEB 20/21 vs. No. 16 Ohio State
Jaret:
Ohio State heading on the road, where they won’t have the benefit of the last change to control matchups, will present a big challenge to this system-reliant squad. The Nittany Lions take full advantage.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (21-6-3, 12-5-3)
Patrick:
This is the point in the season where Pegula Ice Arena really gets buzzing. Penn State could very well be No. 1 in the country by this point, and having an in-conference rival like Ohio State come to Happy Valley will only give the game more juice.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (24-4-2, 15-3-2)
FEB 27/28 @ Notre Dame
Jaret:
The road trip to Notre Dame proved to be the turning point in the Nittany Lions’ historic season a year ago. Now, it looks to serve as a tune-up series for Penn State just a few weeks before postseason play.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (23-6-3, 14-5-3)
Patrick:
Penn State could have a chance to clinch the Big Ten this weekend, depending on how the series against both Michigan State and Minnesota went earlier in the season. Penn State should be able to take care of business against what could be the worst team in the Big Ten.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (26-4-2, 17-3-2)
MAR 5/6 vs. No. 20 Wisconsin
Jaret:
Wisconsin coming to town will mark the end of the regular season for the Nittany Lions. This series should be good to pick up two wins to lock in an advantageous NPI position.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (25-6-3, 16-5-3)
Patrick:
This series could be another opportunity to clinch the Big Ten Championship, and it would happen on home ice. The Nittany Lions only won the regular-season conference title in 2020, but the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament were canceled that year due to COVID.
Prediction: Penn State sweeps (28-4-2, 19-3-2)
Penn State hockey postseason outlook:
Jaret:
I have Penn State going 25-6-3 this season, which will be good enough for a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, perhaps even the top overall seed. The Nittany Lions are national title favorites, and for good reason. They were a goal away from getting to the national championship game a year ago, and then they went and added the best player in the world who isn’t currently in the National Hockey League in Gavin McKenna. And that isn’t even mentioning a top-15 pick in the 2025 Draft in defenseman Jackson Smith and Shea Van Olm, who was among the leading scorers in the WHL. This team is deep, loaded, and dangerous. It will be a very fun winter and spring in Hockey Valley.
Patrick:
I have Penn State finishing with a 28-4-2 record and winning the Big Ten regular season title. That should be enough to earn the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament. The real question for this team is how all of the new talent gels with last year’s squad. Aiden Fink will go from being the focal point of the offense to falling behind a guy like Gavin McKenna. The Nittany Lions will have a blend of youth and established players. If Penn State is able to develop chemistry early, this team will, without a doubt, be the greatest team in the school’s short D1 history. Guy Gadowsky’s team finally got over the hump last year and made the Frozen Four. Will the Nittany Lions take the next step and lift the trophy in Las Vegas this March?
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