It’s about time to head back to the rink for another season of Penn State college hockey. The No. 5-ranked Nittany Lions open their season against No. 14 Arizona State at 9 p.m. on Friday, October 3rd. After a 22-14-4 finish and a thrilling run to the Frozen Four last season, this Penn State team faces higher expectations than ever.

Of course, some of our staffers had to share their predictions for the upcoming season, and they all agree we are in for a show from our Nittany Lions on ice.

Michael Siroty: 25-7-2 (17-6-1 Big Ten)

It’s officially October. It’s officially time for Penn State men’s hockey.

With what seems to be his best team ever, Guy Gadowsky is set to have Hockey Valley rocking this season. I’m projecting Penn State to go 25-7-2 before going on a deep run in the postseason. The new college hockey rule allows Canadian junior players to suit up for college teams now, so every team will be deeper than ever, so I don’t see Penn State having more than 25 wins.

However, those 25 wins will be electric. Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, Aiden Fink, Mac Gadowsky, Matt DiMarsico, and so many more guys are going to have Pegula on tilt this year.

Hannah Fuller: 34-0 (24-0 Big Ten)

Undefeated obviously. It’s lock-in season. I’m not willing to watch another Frozen Four letdown against Boston University.

Michael Zeno: 23-7-4 (14-6-4 Big Ten)

A hockey record is a hard thing to project. I think Penn State will coast through their soft non-conference schedule and only drop one game (probably to Arizona State).

Once you get to Big Ten play, there’s a wide range of things that could happen. Penn State will be relying a lot on young talent that might need an adjustment period to the physicality of Big Ten hockey. They could struggle early, especially with trips to East Lansing and Minnesota, but they’ll get their act together.

Ultimately, when you add the hunger from last year’s Frozen Four run with the sheer talent the team has added, it adds up to being one of the best teams in college hockey. The team has a steady foundation that it can fall back on, and we’ll be looking forward to another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

CJ Gill: 23-8-3 (16-5-3 Big Ten)

Nittany Lion fans are in uncharted territory this winter. Penn State men’s hockey is a Big Ten favorite and is looked at as one of the best teams in the country for the first time in its history.

Coming off the momentum of an improbable Frozen Four run last season, and with the additions of Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, Mac Gadowsky, and others, this year’s team has all the tools to be elite. I see this season’s edition of the blue and white hitting their stride at the turn of the new year once again, after a few growing pains early in the season with all the new pieces trying to mesh together in Hockey Valley.

Alex Smith: 23-7-4 (14-6-4 Big Ten)

I think the Penn State men’s hockey team will go 23-7-4. With a bunch of new additions to the team like Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, and Mac Gadowsky, the ceiling of this team is high. I think there will be a few losses mixed in as the team is finding its chemistry and footing.

Once the losses are out of the way, the team will be unstoppable. I can see the team falling to Michigan State or maybe even dropping a game in the upcoming Arizona State series. Either way, this team is a force to be reckoned with.

Jason Perry: 24-8-2 (16-7-1 Big Ten)

Penn State is coming off an impressive year for the program, exceeding expectations and making the semifinals in the Big 10 tournament and the Frozen Four in the NCAA tournament. They were the hottest team in college hockey leading up to the playoffs, and I expect them to continue that momentum into the new season with good returning talent and a top-tier freshman class.

The Nittany Lions will start strong, destroying their non-conference competition as they did last season. The big test comes in Big 10 play, where Penn State actually had a losing record last season. I see them rising to the occasion this year, winning several key conference games and keeping their loss total in the single digits. This strong regular season will set the Nittany Lions up for another strong playoff run and a chance to go even further than last season.