Many players arrived around an hour later than usual, but they were able to make it in time for the 7:30 p.m. ET start. David E. Klutho / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
PITTSBURGH — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler’s highly anticipated NHL debut had to wait 30 minutes.
A massive traffic accident on a local Pittsburgh highway forced the Penguins to move the start time of Thursday’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens to 7:30 p.m. ET, with the puck expected to drop at 7:38 p.m. ET.
Puck drop was originally scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET.
Tonight’s game vs. the Montreal Canadiens has been moved to 7:30 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/pTxVHLEsBa
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 11, 2025
An accident on Interstate-279, one of the primary arteries that connects downtown Pittsburgh with the city’s northern suburbs,
While this was an inconvenience for fans attending the game, the bigger issue was getting the hockey players to PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins’ practice facility is located in Cranberry Township, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. The majority of the Penguins’ players live in that area so that they are close to the practice facility. They typically take Interstate-279 to downtown Pittsburgh for home games, which is why the game was delayed.
Many players arrived around an hour later than usual, but they were able to arrive in time for the 7:30 p.m. ET start.
No injuries have been reported.