Venue & Game Info
- Time: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Broadcast: ESPN (U.S.), SN1/TVAS (Canada)
Injury Report
- Rangers: No major injuries reported; Artemi Panarin (upper body) and J.T. Miller (lower body) both expected to play after missing preseason time [^3].
- Penguins: No significant injuries listed entering the opener [^4].
Projected Lineups
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Top Line: Sidney Crosby – Ville Koivunen – Rickard Rakell
- Second Line: Evgeni Malkin – Anthony Mantha – Bryan Rust
- Defense: Kris Letang – Mathew Dumba
- Goaltender: Tristan Jarry
New York Rangers
- Top Line: J.T. Miller – Mika Zibanejad – Artemi Panarin
- Second Line: Alexis Lafrenière – Vincent Trocheck – Kaapo Kakko
- Defense: Adam Fox – K’Andre Miller
- Goaltender: Igor Shesterkin
Team Records (2024–25 Season)
- Rangers: 39‑36‑7 (missed playoffs after Presidents’ Trophy season in 2023–24)
- Goals For: 3.1 per game (12th NHL)
- Goals Against: 3.1 per game (19th NHL)
- Power Play: 17.6% (28th NHL)
- Penguins: 34‑36‑12 (missed playoffs for third straight year)
- Goals For: 3.0 per game (18th NHL)
- Goals Against: 3.5 per game (29th NHL)
- Power Play: 25.8% (7th NHL)
Recent Form
- Penguins: Ended last season on a strong note, winning their final 5 games. Crosby (91 points) remained elite, but Malkin’s production dipped (50 points). Tristan Jarry struggled with a .893 SV%.
- Rangers: Struggled with inconsistency, leading to a coaching change. Mike Sullivan (former Penguins coach) now behind the bench, adding emotional intrigue to this opener.
Series History
- Last 15 Meetings (since 2021–22): Rangers lead 10‑4‑1.
- Last Season: Rangers won 2 of 3 matchups.
- Trend: Rangers have generally controlled the rivalry in recent years, especially at MSG.
Key Matchups
- Sidney Crosby vs. Mika Zibanejad: Veteran vs. veteran — Crosby still drives Pittsburgh’s offense, while Zibanejad looks to rebound after a down year.
- Goaltending Battle: Igor Shesterkin (elite, Vezina‑caliber) vs. Tristan Jarry (inconsistent, under pressure).
- Coaching Narrative: Mike Sullivan faces his former team in his Rangers debut — emotional and tactical storyline.
Betting Trends
- Rangers: 12th in goals scored last season, but 28th in power play efficiency.
- Penguins: 7th in power play goals, but 29th in goals allowed.
- Totals:
- Rangers games went Over 5.5 in 44 of 82 contests.
- Penguins games went Over 5.5 in 51 of 82 contests.
- ATS: Rangers were 12‑13‑1 vs. Metropolitan Division; Penguins 9‑13‑4.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Penguins 5.5
New York Rangers – 225
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, October 6, 2025
