Penguins vs Rangers Live Stream: Start Time, TV Channel, Injury Report & Expert Picks for Tonight's NHL Showdown

Tonight’s blockbuster Penguins vs Rangers clash at Madison Square Garden launches the 2025-26 NHL season with everything fans crave: superstar matchups, fresh storylines, and playoff-level intensity. Opening-Night Context • Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET, Oct 7, 2025 • Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York • Broadcast/stream: ESPN, ESPN+ and regional sports networks Key Storylines to Watch 1. Crosby vs Panarin – Sidney Crosby enters his 21st campaign still driving the Penguins’ attack, while Artemi Panarin headlines a Rangers roster that averaged 3.31 goals last year, 6th best in the league. 2. Goalie Duel – Tristan Jarry returns healthy for Pittsburgh, taking on Igor Shesterkin, whose .916 save percentage ranked among the NHL’s elite. 3. Off-Season Upgrades – Pittsburgh added top-six winger Bryan Rust back from injury and power-play quarterback Kris Letang after season-ending surgery, while New York bolstered depth with veteran center Mikael Granlund. 4. Coaching Chess Match – Mike Sullivan’s structured forecheck meets Peter Laviolette’s high-tempo transition system in their first tactical battle of the new season. Projected Lineups Penguins F: Guentzel-Crosby-Rust | Rakell-Malkin-Smith | O’Connor-Lars Eller-Nylander | Nieto-Acciari-Carter D: Graves-Letang | Pettersson-Karlsson | Joseph-Ruhwedel G: Jarry (starter), Nedeljkovic Rangers F: Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafrenière | Panarin-Trocheck-Kakko | Cuylle-Granlund-Wheeler | Goodrow-Bonino-Pitlick D: Lindgren-Fox | Miller-Trouba | Gustafsson-Schneider G: Shesterkin (starter), Quick Series & Stats Snapshot • All-time regular-season record: Penguins 140-125-23. • Last season: Rangers won series 2-1, outscoring Pittsburgh 13-9. • Power play watch: Penguins’ PP clicked at 22.6 % last year; Rangers at 24.3 %, 4th in NHL. How to Follow Live – TV: ESPN national feed – Streaming: ESPN+, fuboTV, Sling Orange sports add-on – Radio: 105.9 The X (PIT), ESPN 98.7 (NY) What’s at Stake Opening-night points often loom large in the Metropolitan Division, where the 2nd–5th seeds were separated by just five wins last season. A fast start can set the tone for playoff positioning and conference seeding. Historical Heat The Crosby-era Penguins have eliminated New York from the playoffs three times, while the Rangers ousted Pittsburgh in their thrilling 2022 first-round comeback. Expect echoes of that rivalry energy in tonight’s faceoff. Final Word With star power, revamped rosters and division bragging rights on the line, Penguins vs Rangers promises must-watch hockey and a potential early statement about who will control the Metro in 2025-26.