Tuesday night marks a special opening night, featuring an ESPN matchup from the Metropolitan Division between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sidney Crosby leads a team that is declining and lacks a strong supporting cast. The future first ballot Hall of Famer is rumored to be on the trading block.
Pittsburgh and Crosby may agree to part ways so that he can end his career on a contender, while the Penguins want to secure as much in assets for the future as possible as compensation for their marquee player.
The Rangers were the biggest disappointment in the NHL last year. New York failed to make the playoffs after being picked as a Stanley Cup contender.
As a result of the disastrous season, the Rangers fired head coach Peter Laviolette in favor of Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan won two Stanley Cups as head coach of the Penguins and is arguably the greatest coach in franchise history.
Ironically, Sullivan begins his Rangers career against his former team.
The Rangers are also marking the opening of their Centennial Celebration as a franchise.
Penguins at Rangers Preview
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the New York Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden in New York. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- Although the Penguins are yesterday’s news, they remain an iconic NHL brand on the board.
- Casual gamblers still see the fading Penguins as a good and contending team.
- Because of their brand popularity, the Penguins are routinely overpriced.
- The Rangers are getting a decent price because of Pittsburgh’s public cache.
- New York is a popular NHL brand, too, thus keeping the betting odds relatively honest.
- Interest in this matchup is high because it is the season opener and the popularity of both teams.
Penguins at Rangers Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- The Penguins are an odd collection of aging stars and unproven younger players.
- Pittsburgh is alarmingly weak on defense and in goal.
- Sidney Crosby, age 38, is burdened with having to carry the offensive load.
- Pittsburgh lacks secondary scoring depth.
- The Rangers have a decided advantage in goal with Igor Shesterkin.
- Former Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is now behind the Rangers bench.
- JT Miller, Artemi Panarin, and Vincent Trocheck give the Rangers good firepower.
- New York opens its 100th season in the NHL at home with renewed optimism and enthusiasm.
Penguins at Rangers Prime Best Bet: New York Rangers and Over the Total
Penguins at Rangers Betting Tips
- Pittsburgh opened at +1.5, -142 on the puck line.
- The Rangers are -1.5, +115 on the puck line.
- Pittsburgh is +172 on the moneyline.
- The Rangers are -210 on the moneyline.
- The Rangers and Penguins opened with a total of 5.5.
- Last year, the Penguins were 34-36-12 and 13-21-7 on the road.
- Last year, the Rangers were 39-36-7 and 19-19-3 at home.
Penguins at Rangers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- The Rangers failed to get the money in 10 of their last 15 games.
- New York went over the total in five of its last six outings.
- New York failed to pay out in eight of its last ten home games.
- The Rangers went over the total in five of their last six home games.
- The Rangers saw the payout window in nine of their last 11 games against the Penguins.
- New York won six of their last eight home games against Pittsburgh.
- The Rangers and Penguins went under the total in four of their last five meetings at New York.
- Pittsburgh got the cash in six of its last eight games.
- The Penguins went over the total in 10 of their last 15 games.
- Pittsburgh lost nine of its most recent 12 road games.
- Pittsburgh went over the total in five of its last seven away games.
