Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Broadcast: ESPN+, MSGSN, SportsNet Pittsburgh | Radio: WRHU 88.7 FM (NYI), 105.9 The X (PIT)
Venue & Context
The Pittsburgh Penguins host their 2025–26 home opener at PPG Paints Arena, celebrating the 20th consecutive season of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang playing together. The New York Islanders begin their season on the road, debuting 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer, who headlines a youth-driven rebuild.
Injury Report
New York Islanders
LW Anders Lee – Upper Body (Out)
LW Pierre Engvall – Hip (Out)
C Calum Ritchie – Lower Body (Out)
LW Daylan Kuefler – Upper Body (Out)
LW Jesse Nurmi – Knee (Out)
D Ethan Bear – Undisclosed (Out)
G Semyon Varlamov – Knee (Out)
Pittsburgh Penguins
RW Bryan Rust – Lower Body (Out)
RW Kevin Hayes – Upper Body (Out)
RW Rutger McGroarty – Upper Body (Out)
LW Tanner Howe – ACL (Out)
D Jack St. Ivany – Lower Body (Out)
G Joel Blomqvist – Lower Body (Out)
Both teams are missing depth, but the Islanders’ forward injuries are particularly concerning for offensive depth.
Projected Player Matchups
Mathew Barzal & Bo Horvat (NYI) vs. Sidney Crosby & Rickard Rakell (PIT)
Veteran playmakers clash, with Barzal returning from injury and Crosby still producing elite numbers.
Matthew Schaefer (NYI rookie D) vs. Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
A baptism by fire for the top pick, tasked with containing Malkin’s creativity.
Ilya Sorokin (NYI, G) vs. Tristan Jarry (PIT, G)
Sorokin seeks a bounce-back season after a .907 SV% last year, while Jarry opened with a shutout tandem performance alongside Arturs Silovs.
Team Records & Recent Form
Islanders (0-0-0): Season opener. Preseason record 2-2-2, averaging 2.8 GF and 3.8 GA.
Penguins (1-0-0): Opened with a 3-0 win over the Rangers, powered by Justin Brazeau’s two goals. Preseason form strong (4-1).
Series History
2024–25 Season Series: Islanders won 3 of 4 matchups.
Last 10 Meetings: Islanders lead 7-3, often dictating physical, low-scoring games.
At PPG Paints Arena: Penguins have points in 11 of their last 13 home games vs. NYI (8-2-3).
Betting Trends
Islanders as Favorite (2024–25): 17-21 on moneyline.
Penguins as Underdog (2024–25): 23-39 overall, but 20-36 when +100 or longer.
Totals: Over has hit in 7 of last 10 Isles-Pens meetings. Penguins trending Under in 7 of last 10 overall.
Game Odds
New York Islanders – 125
Pittsburgh Penguins 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 8, 2025
