Penguins

Penguins Game 1, Season Begins! Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers game

The Pittsburgh Penguins (0-0-0) host the New York Rangers Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena, and with the first puck drop of the 2024-25 season begins a six-month fight for the Penguins to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Excitement abounded in the Penguins locker room over the last few days as the team wants to build on the good vibrations of last season’s final push. They fell short of the playoffs but made up nine points in the final few weeks with a string of wins.

“You know, all the hard work, all the preparation, being able to see that come into play here and get ready to start,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said Monday. “I think we’re all just feeling that.”

Tristan Jarry will start in goal for the Penguins, and Igor Shesterkin will go for New York.

Last season, Jarry’s late-season slump dropped his save percentage to .903. Alex Nedeljkovic is on injured reserve, and Joel Blomqvist will back up Jarry.

The Penguins had an optional morning skate Wednesday, but the lines on Tuesday looked like a reasonable guess at Wednesday’s lineup, and Rutger McGroarty will make his NHL debut.

Penguins Injuries:

Bryan Rust (day-to-day, skating), Blake Lizotte (concussion, out), Matt Nieto (lower-body, out month-to-month), Alex Nedeljkovic (lower-body, out week-to-week).

Penguins Lines

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Anthony Beauvillier

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Rutger McGroarty-Lars Eller-Jesse Puljujarvi

Kevin Hayes-Cody Glass-Noel Acciari

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

Goalie: Tristan Jarry

Rangers Lines (Estimated)

Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere

Chris Kreider-Mike Zibanejad-Reilly Smith

Will Cuylle-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko

Adam Edstrom-Sam Carrick-Jonny Brodzinski

Defense

K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox

Braden Schneider-Jacob Trouba

Zach Jones-Victor Mancini

Goalie: Igor Shesterkin

Special Teams

Penguins Power Play: 0-for-0. Penguins Penalty Kill: 0-for-0.

Rangers Power Play: 0-for-o. Rangers Penalty Kill: 0-for-0.

Game Notes

*Evgeni Malkin has 498 goals, two away from the 500-goal milestone

*The Penguins are 14-9-3 in their last 26 games against the Rangers

*Anthony Beauvillier, Cody Glass, Kevin Hayes, Rutger McGroarty, and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will make their Penguins debut tonight. McGoarty will make his debut, as would Blomqvist if he plays.

*Coach Mike Sullivan is beginning his 10th season with the Penguins.

*In 30 regular-season games against them, forward Anthony Beauvillier has more goals (13), assists (12), and points (25) against the Rangers than any other team in his career.