The Penguins-Capitals matchup in Washington on Dec. 10 will only be available through the ESPN+ or Hulu streaming services.
The NHL and ESPN broadcast schedule for the season includes 75 total exclusive, ESPN-produced national games on ESPN+ and Hulu. These games are available only through those streaming services, and will not be nationally or locally televised. As a result, there will be no regional blackouts for the streams.
This is the first ESPN+ exclusive game for the Penguins this season.
ESPN play-by-play broadcaster John Buccigross spoke about the setup when he was on our 66 to 87 podcast in July.
"I'm sure there are going to be some 64-year-old Penguins fans who are going to sit down to watch the Penguins and Capitals and find out that it's on ESPN+," Buccigross said with a laugh. "They're going to call their son or daughter and say, 'What's ESPN+ and how do I get it?' There are going to be some interesting phone calls."
Friday's game will be the first NHL on ESPN broadcast with a "Megacast," the ability to choose between different ESPN-produced feeds. In addition to the main, standard broadcast, viewers have the option to choose a "Star Watch" alternate feed that will have isolated cameras and stats on Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin all game.
Bob Wischusen will be the play-by-play broadcaster for the game, along with analyst Ray Ferraro. Emily Kaplan will be the rinkside reporter. Arda Ocal, Rick DiPietro, and John Tortorella will be the in-studio analysts.
The Penguins will have three other ESPN+/Hulu exclusive games this season: Jan. 6 vs. the Flyers, April 7 vs. the Rangers, and April 26 vs. the Oilers.
