Penguins to hoist Stanley Cup banner at home opener versus St. Louis Blues

Jonathan Bombulie
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 12:45 p.m. | Wednesday, June 21, 2017 12:45 p.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Penguins players watch the 2016 Stanley Cup Championship banner rise into the rafters during a pre-game ceremony Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins will raise a fifth Stanley Cup championship banner to the rafters of PPG Paints Arena when they host the St. Louis Blues in their home opener at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4.

NHL teams announced the dates of their home openers Wednesday afternoon. The rest of the 2017-18 schedule will be revealed Thursday. The Penguins will be the opponent for Chicago's home opener Thursday, Oct. 5, as well.

The Penguins and Blues were part of the 1967-68 NHL expansion and were bitter rivals in the early years of the franchises. The Penguins haven't hosted the Blues for their home opener since Oct. 12, 1977. On that night, newly named captain Jean Pronovost scored twice to lead the Penguins to a 4-2 victory.

Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jbombulie@tribweb.com or via Twitter at @BombulieTrib.