The lights flip on at Madison Square Garden for a classic Metro opener: Sidney Crosby and the retooled Penguins vs Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers.
Pittsburgh finished last year bottom-five in goals against, but still brought a top-10 power play into 2025-26.
New York was dead even in goal differential, powered by elite goaltending and transition speed—but the Blueshirts’ PP lagged (17.6%). If the Rangers finish more of their 5-on-5 chances (and the PP wakes up), they’re the rightful chalk at home.
Check the best NHL betting strategy here.
🏒 NHL Betting Promos and Bonuses
| Sportsbook | Offer | How to Claim? |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 💰 Bet $1, Get Double Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets | Claim here |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 🔁 Bet & Get Up to $1,000 in No-Sweat Bets | Claim here |
| bet365 Sportsbook | 🎁 Bet $5, Receive $150 in Bonus Bets — Win or Lose | Claim here |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 🚀 Bet $5, Instantly Unlock $200 in Bonus Bets | Claim here |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 🏆 First Bet Offer: Bet $10, Win $150 | Claim here |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | ✅ Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | Claim here |
📺 Where To Watch Rangers vs. Penguins? (October 7, 2025)
| Item | Info |
| Date | Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| Arena | Madison Square Garden — New York, NY |
| TV | ESPN |
| Stream | Fubo |
Betting Odds & Market Snapshot
(Books are split on the total; you’ll see 5.5 to 6 out there.)
| Market | Penguins | Rangers | Total |
| Moneyline | +184 | -224 | O/U 6 (also 5.5 at some shops) |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-142) | -1.5 (+120) | — |
Projected Starters
| Team | Goalie | 2024-25 W-L-OT | GAA | SV% |
| Penguins | Tristan Jarry | 16-12-6 | 3.10 | .893 |
| Rangers | Igor Shesterkin | 27-29-0 | 3.20 | .917 |
Team Form & 2024-25 Snapshot
| Penguins | Rangers | |
| Record | 34-36-12 | 39-36-7 |
| Goals / Game | 3.0 (18th) | 3.1 (12th) |
| Goals Against / Game | 3.5 (29th) | 3.1 (19th) |
| Goal Differential | -45 (27th) | 0 (15th) |
| Power Play | 25.8% (6th) | 17.6% (28th) |
| Penalty Kill | — | 80.3% |
Quick reads
- PIT PP edge is real, but NYR goaltending + 5v5 play at home = favorite justified.
- Pens were leaky at even strength (239 ES GA). Rangers were even (218 ES GF / 208 ES GA).
Skater Spotlights
Penguins
- Sidney Crosby — 91 pts (33 G, 58 A) | FO% 57.2
- Rickard Rakell — 69 pts (35 G)
- Erik Karlsson — 53 pts, elite puck-moving QB on PP1
Rangers
- Artemi Panarin — 88 pts (37 G, 51 A) (listed DTD/out—see injuries)
- Mika Zibanejad — 62 pts, FO% 51.8, shot volume driver
- Adam Fox — 61 pts from the blue line, transition catalyst
Injuries (monitor pre-game)
- Rangers: Artemi Panarin (lower body, OUT)
- Penguins: Bryan Rust (lower body), Jack St. Ivany (lower body), Rutger McGroarty (upper body), Kevin Hayes (upper body), Bill Zonnon (undisclosed), Tanner Howe (ACL), Joel Blomqvist (lower body)
Panarin’s absence dings NYR finishing & PP threat, but Shesterkin + depth still swing the moneyline.
Same-Game Betting Angles
Best Bets
- Rangers -1.5 (+120) — Shesterkin at home vs a defense that allowed 287 GA last year.
- Over 6 (-105 to -110) (or Over 5.5 up to -125) — These teams combined for 6.1 goals/game last season; both totals are live.
- Mika Zibanejad Over 2.5 SOG — Line-driving center, PP1 usage, volume path with Panarin out.
Player Props (lean)
| Prop | Play | Note |
| Mika Zibanejad Anytime Goal | Small sprinkle | PP1 trigger + increased shot share sans Panarin |
| Chris Kreider Anytime Goal | Yes if +170 or better | Net-front on PP1; matchup vs middling PK |
| Sidney Crosby Over 0.5 Assists | Plus-money range | If Pens score, Sid likely touches it |
| Adam Fox Over 0.5 Points | Reasonable juice | Primary puck mover, 5v5 + PP1 |
Micro-Matchups That Matter
- Faceoffs / OZ time: Rangers (Zibanejad/Trocheck) can tilt starts & sustain pressure.
- Special Teams Split: Pens PP (6th) vs NYR PK ≈ coin-flippy; countered by NYR 5v5 edge.
- Goaltending delta: Shesterkin > Jarry on high-danger save rate & rebound control.
ClutchBuzz Same Game Parlay (moderate)
- Rangers ML
- Over 5.5
- Zibanejad 3+ SOG
Est. payout: ~+250 to +300 (book-dependent)
Rangers vs. Penguins Prediction
| Market | Pick |
| Side | Rangers -1.5 (+120) |
| Total | Over 6 (Over 5.5 if you find it) |
| Score | Rangers 4, Penguins 2 |
Rationale: Goaltending edge + home ice + NYR 5v5 pace/transition. Pens’ PP keeps them pesky, but shot share and netminding should carry New York.
