More than 30 years after their first team known as the Pirates was forced to fold during The Great Depression the NHL return to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins are one of six new teams added to the league. Playing in the all-expansion Western Division the Penguins make their debut on October 11th at the Civic Arena, which is better known as the Igloo because of its unique shape losing to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1.

Two nights later the Penguins would get their first win when they beat the Blues 3-1 in St. Louis.

The Penguins would go on to finish in fifth place with a 27-34-13 record missing the playoffs by two points despite losing just one of their final seven games.