How to Watch Penguins vs. Avalanche on DIRECTV: Puck Drop Time, Local Channels and Streaming
The Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MT) at Ball Arena in Denver. There is no U.S. national telecast. The game airs locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh (DIRECTV channel 659) for the Penguins and on Altitude Sports (DIRECTV channel 681) for the Avalanche, with an over-the-air simulcast on KTVD (My20) in the Denver market, per the NHL’s official schedule.
Colorado is 4-2-1 and Pittsburgh is 3-3-1 through seven games each as of October 15, 2026. Here’s how to watch Penguins-Avalanche on DIRECTV.
Penguins vs. Avalanche: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MT) |
| Arena | Ball Arena, Denver |
| U.S. national TV | None listed |
| Penguins local | SportsNet Pittsburgh, DIRECTV 659 (CHOICE and up, in-market) |
| Avalanche local | Altitude Sports, DIRECTV 681 (CHOICE and up, in-market); KTVD (My20) over the air in the Denver market |
| Canada | Sportsnet+ and TVAS |
| Out of market | NHL Center Ice on DIRECTV satellite where offered; ESPN+ streaming |
| Records | COL 4-2-1 (9 pts); PIT 3-3-1 (7 pts) as of Oct. 15, 2026 |
What channel is Penguins vs. Avalanche on DIRECTV?
Which channel you use depends on where you live, because this is a regional-sports-network game, not a national one.
| Where you live | Channel | DIRECTV package |
|---|---|---|
| Penguins territory (western Pennsylvania and nearby) | SportsNet Pittsburgh, 659 | CHOICE or higher |
| Avalanche territory (Colorado and Altitude’s region) | Altitude Sports, 681 | CHOICE or higher |
| Denver TV market | KTVD (My20), local channel | Local channels with any package that includes Denver locals |
| Everywhere else in the U.S. | NHL Center Ice feeds | Satellite add-on, where offered this season |
Regional sports networks aren’t part of ENTERTAINMENT, so CHOICE is the starting point for 659 or 681 inside each team’s territory. Altitude Sports carries Avalanche games only inside its NHL territory; our guide to watching the Avalanche without Altitude on DIRECTV covers fans outside it. Compare tiers in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we’ll confirm what your ZIP code gets.
How to stream Penguins vs. Avalanche
- DIRECTV app: if SportsNet Pittsburgh or Altitude Sports is in your package and you’re in-market, watch the channel live in the DIRECTV app with your login.
- Altitude+: in-market Avalanche fans who get Altitude through a TV provider can often stream on Altitude+ at no added cost; Altitude says KTVD and KUSA game broadcasts also stream there.
- Out of market: ESPN+ carries most out-of-market regional NHL telecasts in the U.S. Local blackouts apply inside both teams’ territories.
How the Penguins and Avalanche got here
Early-season notes as of October 15, 2026, from NHL.com schedules and stats:
- Avalanche (4-2-1): Colorado split a home-and-home with Dallas this week, winning 3-2 in Dallas on October 13 before falling 3-2 in a shootout at Ball Arena on October 14. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team with 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in seven games, and Martin Necas and Cale Makar have 7 points each.
- Penguins (3-3-1): Pittsburgh lost 5-3 at Chicago on October 13 to open a four-game road trip that continues in Denver, then Vegas on Saturday and Utah on Monday. Erik Karlsson leads the Penguins with 7 assists, and Evgeni Malkin and Tommy Novak have 3 goals apiece.
Penguins vs. Avalanche storylines
- Back-to-back for Pittsburgh: the Penguins play in Vegas the next night, so watch for a goaltending split between Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov.
- Bounce-back night for Colorado: the Avalanche return home after a day off following their October 14 shootout loss to Dallas.
- Mile-high road test: Pittsburgh plays the second game of its road trip at Denver’s elevation, a long-running Avalanche home-ice talking point.
- Rematch on national TV: the Avalanche list a January 12, 2027 game against Pittsburgh in an ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+ national window.
More NHL on DIRECTV
NHL Network (channel 215, ULTIMATE and up) carries select national games and studio shows; see what channel NHL Network is on DIRECTV. For the full season map of ESPN, TNT and regional windows, see NHL on DIRECTV and how to watch the 2026-27 NHL season on DIRECTV. Penguins fans can also catch up with our Penguins vs. Capitals on DIRECTV guide, and Avalanche fans with Stars vs. Avalanche on DIRECTV.
Local channel help: DIRECTV channels for Pennsylvania and DIRECTV channels for Colorado.
Want SportsNet Pittsburgh or Altitude, your locals and the rest of the hockey lineup on one bill? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Penguins vs. Avalanche on DIRECTV?
There is no U.S. national telecast. In Penguins territory it is on SportsNet Pittsburgh, DIRECTV channel 659. In Avalanche territory it is on Altitude Sports, channel 681, with a KTVD (My20) simulcast in the Denver market.
What time does Penguins vs. Avalanche start?
Puck drop is 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MT) on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver.
Which DIRECTV package has SportsNet Pittsburgh and Altitude Sports?
Regional sports networks start with CHOICE on DIRECTV and are available only inside each team’s home territory. ENTERTAINMENT does not include them.
How can I watch Penguins vs. Avalanche out of market?
Outside both teams’ territories, use NHL Center Ice on DIRECTV satellite where it is offered this season, or stream out-of-market games on ESPN+. Local blackouts apply.
What are the Penguins’ and Avalanche’s records?
As of October 15, 2026, Colorado is 4-2-1 with 9 points and Pittsburgh is 3-3-1 with 7 points, each through seven games.
Is Penguins vs. Avalanche on NHL Network?
NHL.com does not list NHL Network or any other U.S. national network for this game. Check your DIRECTV guide the day of the game in case of late changes.
Need help confirming SportsNet Pittsburgh (659), Altitude Sports (681) or Center Ice before puck drop? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 15, 2026 from the NHL’s official schedule and broadcast data for Penguins at Avalanche (game 2026020119), NHL.com club schedules, standings and stats for Pittsburgh and Colorado, the Avalanche’s 2026-27 how-to-watch page, Altitude Sports’ over-the-air FAQ, DIRECTV’s regional sports network channel list and live AmericanTV.com channel guides. Records are through games completed October 14, 2026. Channel lineups, regional territories, package contents, blackouts, add-on availability and prices vary by address and may change. Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, NHL, NHL Center Ice, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Altitude Sports, KTVD, ESPN+, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.