Penn State hockey season preview: Nittany Lions looking for revival in 2024-25

Hockey is returning to Happy Valley. The puck drops on the 2024-25 Penn State hockey season this week, as Guy Gadowsky and the Nittany Lions look to bounce back from a disappointing 15-18-3 record a year ago. In one of the toughest conferences in college hockey, the Nittany Lions will have to prove their worth if they hope to return to the NCAA Tournament this spring.

What should you expect from the Blue and White on the ice this winter? Our Patrick Sweda and Jaret Gold once again break down the entire slate and provide their full 2024-25 Penn State hockey season preview.

October 5-6: Penn State at Alaska 

Patrick:

Anytime you have to make a trip across the country to play a hockey game, it will always be difficult. This is a series that Penn State should probably sweep at home, but I expect Alaska to be fired up to host a well-known program.

If Guy Gadowsky and the Nittany Lions want to set the tone for the season and get a path to the NCAA Tournament, they must sweep this one. I think a split is more likely, given all the uncertainty of what the chemistry will be among the new young talent. 

Prediction: Penn State splits (1-1, 0-0)

Jaret:

This is one of the more difficult road trips in recent memory, if for no other reason than the 4,000 miles that separate the two campuses. Alaska isn’t a slouch, either. The Nanooks were on the verge of an NCAA tournament appearance two years ago, but their independent status and lack of conference tournament ultimately kept them out.

Alaska lost its star player, Harrison Israels, to Nebraska-Omaha in the portal this offseason, which was a devastating loss for the Nanooks program. He finished fourth in the nation with 20 goals last season. On paper, the Nittany Lions should be able to handle a relatively defanged Alaska squad, but the travel gives me pause.

Prediction: Penn State splits (1-1, 0-0)

October 12: Penn State at No. 8 Quinnipiac

Patrick:

Penn State hockey has finally beefed up its non-conference schedule this year by traveling to take on Quinnipiac. The Bobcats were the 2023 National Champions and have made the NCAA Tournament five consecutive seasons.

This matchup will gauge where we can expect to see Penn State hockey in a loaded Big Ten this year. If the Nittany Lions can pull off the upset, then a top-20 ranking may be in the picture, vaulting the team into contention for an NCAA Tournament spot.

Prediction: Quinnipiac wins (1-2, 0-0)

Jaret:

It is great to see Penn State starting to schedule some tougher non-conference games. Quinnipiac, a perennial tournament team, finally broke through and captured its first national title in 2023. However, the Bobcats lost 14 players this offseason, many of whom were on that national title-winning squad, either to the portal, graduation, or professional contracts.

This iteration of Quinnipiac will still be a talented team that will likely make the dance in March and it is hard to see Penn State going into its building picking up a win.

Prediction: Quinnipiac wins (1-2, 0-0)

October 25-26: Penn State vs St. Lawrence

Patrick:

The home opener will feature a team in St. Lawrence that has been towards the bottom of the ECAC in recent years. This will be a must-sweep for Penn State because a loss would kill its PairWise rankings.

The Nittany Lions may need the sweep if they pick up a few losses in their first few games. This is the get-back-on-track series to get some momentum heading into conference play. 

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (3-2, 0-0)

Jaret:

The home opener at Pegula Ice Arena always brings a little extra juice, not that Penn State should need it against St. Lawrence. The Nittany Lions handled this team on the road a year ago, and this is a bottom-tier ECAC program.

This should be a reasonably easy sweep in front of the home crowd

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (3-2, 0-0)

November 1-2: Penn State at No. 6 Minnesota

Patrick:

It doesn’t get much tougher than starting conference play against a top-10 opponent. Starting fast in the Big Ten will be critical, with five of the seven teams ranked in the preseason polls.

The Nittany Lions have had decent success against the Gophers in past years, so a split here would be a win. I don’t think this team will have the chemistry by this point in the season to take down a highly-ranked Minnesota squad in its building. 

Prediction: Minnesota sweeps (3-4, 0-2)

Jaret:

There will be no time for the Nittany Lions to get their feet wet in conference play; they are right into the deep end with a road trip to Minnesota. Penn State will likely see its old goaltender, Liam Souliere, in this series; he and his talented Gophers squad get the sweep.

Prediction: Minnesota sweeps (3-4, 0-2)

November 15-16: Penn State vs No. 10 Wisconsin

Patrick:

This is a must-get series for Guy Gadowsky. After a tough trip to Minnesota that could likely leave Penn State 0-2 in conference play, a sweep at home would be catastrophic to the Nittany Lions’ postseason hopes.

Penn State played tough at home last season against the Badgers, and I expect a similar result this time with a split and upset win against a top-10 opponent. 

Prediction: Penn State splits (4-5, 1-3)

Jaret:

One of the best-coached teams in the Big Ten, and maybe the country, will come to Pegula to open up the home portion of the conference slate for the Lions. Arguably a more talented squad than last year’s Badgers, this is a true national title contender.

I think the home crowd is enough to will the Lions to one win in this series, but not the sweep.

Prediction: Penn State splits (4-5, 1-3)

November 22-23: Penn State vs No. 7 Michigan

Patrick:

Whether it wins the conference or not, Michigan is always one of, if not the most talented team in the Big Ten and college hockey. The Wolverines once again return to the ice with a top-10 ranking.

However, this will be a tough matchup for Penn State hockey because it comes on the front end of when most students leave for Thanksgiving break. That means no roar zone, no band, and most likely a quieter crowd. Home ice advantage is a real thing, and because of that I am predicting Michigan to sweep. 

Prediction: Michigan sweeps (4-7, 1-5)

Jaret: 

Don’t get me wrong, this is still a very talented Michigan hockey team, but this isn’t like former versions of the Wolverines that had numerous top-five picks on the roster at the same time. I think the Wolverines are a bit overrated compared to their lofty national ranking.

It’ll be up to the townies to create a raucous environment with the students away on Thanksgiving break. But crowd or not, I think Penn State can grab one from Michigan.

Prediction: Penn State splits (5-6, 2-4)

November 26-27: Penn State vs Colgate

Patrick:

A non-conference matchup sandwiched in the middle of conference play and during Thanksgiving break. This is one of the games that will be a cheap ticket to get and one that Penn State hockey needs to win to stabilize the season.

I think Penn State wins night one but ends up getting the tie on Saturday, where Colgate will fight hard. 

Prediction: Penn State wins/ties (5-7-1, 1-5)

Jaret:

A weird midweek series will pose a challenge on short rest after a tough series with Michigan. Colgate is a mid-tier ECAC squad, but I think talent wins out in this one and gets Penn State the sweep.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (7-6, 2-4)

December 6-7: Penn State at Ohio State

Patrick:

Ohio State is the only team ranked below Penn State in the preseason Big Ten poll. That makes every matchup against the Buckeyes a must-win. Going on the road and winning in the Big Ten is hard for anyone, but I think the Nittany Lions can get the outright victory on one of the nights with either a shootout win or loss the other.

A win and tie on the record won’t help Penn State tremendously, but it does help keep the Nittany Lions afloat heading into the second half of the season. 

Prediction: Penn State wins/ties (6-7-2, 2-5-1)

Jaret:

Ohio State had a horrendous season a year ago and was the only team worse than Penn State in the Big Ten standings. There is no reason to think that changes this year.

But despite another tumultuous season in Columbus, Penn State hockey has always struggled on the road. 

Prediction: Penn State splits (8-7, 3-5)

December 12: Penn State vs Army (Washington, D.C.)

Patrick:

It should be a cool environment at Capital One Arena in what is the second half of a doubleheader in the Capital Hockey Classic. Taking place during the weekend of the Army-Navy football game, Penn State hockey will face Army after the two service academies’ club teams face each other in the matchup before.

This should be a win for Penn State, bringing it back to .500 on the season before the break. 

Prediction: Penn State wins (7-7-2, 2-5-1)

Jaret:

The first of two very unique games for Penn State. The Nittany Lions will play a small part in the festivities of the Army-Navy football rivalry in Washington, D.C.

Penn State had a heart stopping comeback against Army a year ago, but should have less trouble with them this time.

Prediction: Penn State wins (9-7, 3-5)

January 3: Penn State vs No. 19 Notre Dame (Wrigley Field)

Patrick:

The second half of the season opens up with a fun matchup at Wrigley Field, where six Big Ten hockey teams will play in the conference’s first outdoor event.

This game will set the tone for how the Nittany Lions finish the year. There will surely be a large Notre Dame crowd, as the Irish always have a big presence in Chicago. I think Penn State comes out of the gate fast and wins the historic matchup. 

Prediction: Penn State wins (8-7-2, 3-5-1)

Jaret:

For the first time as a Division I program, Penn State will play an outdoor game inside the friendly confines of Wrigley Field in Chicago. Notre Dame is another team that comes into the season a bit overrated.

But regardless of how good or bad these teams are when they meet, it is always a tightly contested battle. I see a tie between these two in what is likely a Notre Dame-heavy crowd.  

Prediction: Penn State ties (9-7-1, 3-5-1)

January 5: Penn State at No. 19 Notre Dame

Patrick:

Two days after playing at Wrigley, Penn State hockey heads to South Bend to finish the series against Notre Dame. I think the Irish respond to earn the series split and knock Penn State back to even on the season. Road games at Notre Dame have never gone well for the Nittany Lions, and I don’t see that changing this year. 

Prediction: Notre Dame wins (8-8-2, 3-6-1)

Jaret:

There will be a hangover for both teams after playing a special game just two days prior. South Bend has been a house of horrors for Penn State ever since Notre Dame joined the Big Ten. Notre Dame will have the advantage of the home crowd and, I think, will shake off the hangover quicker. 

Prediction: Notre Dame wins (9-8-1, 3-6-1)

January 10-11: Penn State vs No. 4 Michigan State

Patrick:

This could arguably be Penn State’s biggest series of the season. Michigan State returns a ton of talent and is one of the four favorites to win the Big Ten. If the Nittany Lions can knock off the Spartans, it would be a massive boost to its PairWise ranking.

I think Guy Gadowsky gets the team to beat Michigan State one of the two nights to earn the split. 

Prediction: Penn State splits (9-9-2, 4-7-1)

Jaret:

There will be no rest for the weary as another huge series will play out at Pegula between the Spartans and Nittany Lions. Michigan State is arguably the most talented team in the Big Ten and has always given Penn State fits, even when the program was a Big Ten doormat. Penn State can use the crowd to skate to a tie, dropping the other game.

Prediction: Michigan State wins/ties (9-9-2, 3-7-2)

January 17-18: Penn State vs Canisius

Patrick:

The final non-conference series of the season is against a team that Penn State hockey fans are familiar with. This will be one of the last times that the Nittany Lions will be favored to pull off a sweep this season. Anything less will be considered a disappointment and detrimental to the team’s postseason hopes. 

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (11-9-2, 4-7-1)

Jaret:

Penn State gets a brief reprieve from conference play when Canisius comes to town. This series should be light work for Penn State, but it must be careful not to look ahead to the challenges of the back half of Big Ten play.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (11-9-2, 3-7-2)

January 24-25: Penn State vs Ohio State

Patrick:

This series will be Penn State hockey’s best chance to earn a sweep in the Big Ten this season. The Buckeyes are most likely the worst team in the conference, and if the Nittany Lions want to make the NCAA Tournament, this is another series that they have to have. I think Penn State uses its talent advantage to get it done and begin to gain some momentum toward the NCAA Tournament bubble. 

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (13-9-2, 6-7-1)

Jaret:

This series will be a great chance for Penn State to gain some momentum against what appears to be the worst team in the Big Ten. Penn State will take advantage of the opportunity at home. 

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (13-9-2, 5-7-2)

January 31-February 1: Penn State at No. 7 Michigan

Patrick:

Yost Ice Arena has always been a house of horrors for Penn State. Add in the fact that this year’s Michigan team once again looks like a national title contender, and this doesn’t seem like a good situation for the Nittany Lions.

I think Michigan gets the sweep here, ending a nice little win streak for Penn State. 

Prediction: Michigan sweeps (13-11-2, 6-9-1)

Jaret:

To say Penn State struggles at Yost Ice Arena would be quite an understatement. However, the Nittany Lions shown signs that maybe the tide is turning. They nearly pulled off an upset there two years ago and did pull off an upset last season.

Penn State will come into this series starting to hit its stride and, with momentum at its back, pull off a shocking split at Yost.

Prediction: Penn State splits (14-10-2, 6-8-2)

February 7-8: Penn State at No. 10 Wisconsin

Patrick:

The Kohl Center was historically quiet and too large during most of Penn State’s time in the Big Ten. That changed last season, with Wisconsin returning to relevance and national title contention. The Badgers now play in front of one of the largest crowds in college hockey and have completely flipped the script in the Big Ten.

I think Penn State’s losing streak will extend, and it will drop back to .500 on the season. 

Prediction: Wisconsin sweeps (13-13-2, 6-11-1)

Jaret:

This series will be a momentum killer for the Nittany Lions. Penn State just doesn’t match up well with Mike Hasting’s Badgers, and the home team having the last change will give Penn State little to no chance of winning a game in this series. 

Prediction: Wisconsin sweeps (14-12-2, 6-10-2)

February 14-15: Penn State vs No.19 Notre Dame

Patrick:

With the season winding down, this series at Pegula becomes all the more important. Penn State and Notre Dame are relatively similar in talent, and I think being at home will propel Penn State hockey to a successful weekend.

I don’t think a .500 conference record is necessary to make the NCAA Tournament, but getting as close as possible will remain the goal. 

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (15-13-2, 8-11-1)

Jaret:

If the season plays out like I think it will, this series will be a must-sweep to stay on the bubble. I think Penn State gets the job done at home.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps (16-12-2, 8-10-2)

February 21-22: Penn State at No. 4 Michigan State

Patrick:

Another extremely difficult venue against another top-10 team. It feels like it is repetitive, but that is just the reality of how the Big Ten has grown in strength.

Penn State will be heavy underdogs when they head to Michigan State, and escaping with either a win or tie would be considered a success. But I am more pessimistic on the outcome of this series. 

Prediction: Michigan State sweeps (15-15-2, 8-13-1)

Jaret:

Penn State will again have momentum coming off the Notre Dame series, but it will quickly be squashed with a road trip to East Lansing. The Nittany Lions had a memorable comeback at Munn Ice Arena a year ago, but I think the Spartans will have no trouble at home.

Prediction: Michigan State sweeps (16-14-2, 8-12-2)

February 28-March 1: Penn State vs No. 6 Minnesota

Patrick:

For whatever reason, Penn State has had success against Minnesota at home. It was more often during the Nittany Lions’ 2016-2019 run, but it was still success nonetheless.

This could be a crucial series to determine whether Penn State has any chance to get an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Even this late in the year, there still could be an outside chance if Penn State can sweep and make a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament. I think Minnesota is just too good, though, and the teams each take a game. 

Prediction: Penn State splits (16-16-2, 9-14-1)

Jaret:

Penn State should come into the final weekend with postseason hopes still alive. However, the Nittany Lions will need a massive weekend against Minnesota to remain in the conversation. Minnesota has had its fair share of struggles at Pegula. But I think this young team will gel together at the right time to earn a win and a tie 

Prediction: Penn State win/tie (17-14-3, 9-12-3)

Penn State hockey postseason outlook:

Patrick:

I have this team finishing a perfectly mediocre 16-16-2 this season. That won’t be enough to make the NCAA Tournament outside of winning the Big Ten Tournament. A few more games go Penn State’s way, combined with a strong Big Ten showing in the non-conference, and an at-large bid isn’t too far out of the question. 

Penn State finished with an 18-14-5 record during the 2017-18 season and finished No. 11 in the PairWise, making the field by one spot despite three bid stealers. The Big Ten was strong that season, with Notre Dame, Michigan, and Ohio State all making the tournament and eventually the Frozen Four. 

If the ranked teams in the Big Ten can have strong performances in the non-conference and Penn State can pick up wins against Alaska and one or two other programs, there isn’t a reason to believe that the Nittany Lions can’t make the dance. I don’t see a bid at this moment. But the team should be hovering somewhere between the No. 14 and No. 20 spot in the PairWise heading into the postseason. 

Jaret:

My projected 17-14-3 record isn’t great and probably doesn’t do the job as far as NCAA Tournament hopes go. However, it is an admirable result in a conference where many teams are just flat-out more talented than the Nittany Lions. 

The advantage of the conference being so deep is that Penn State will have many opportunities to boost its PairWise ranking. I see a 17-14-3 finish good for somewhere in the No. 19 to No. 25 range. It’s not good enough to make the postseason, but it’s good enough to keep things interesting for most of the year. 

If the Lions get a few games to break the other way, they could see themselves in the dance. However, I see this year more as a springboard for the 2025-26 season, where Penn State hockey will start to have some talented depth to aid its main core. 

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