Inside the Rink Game Day Preview
New York Rangers (0-0-0) at Pittsburgh Penguins (0-0-0)
Date: Wednesday, October 9
Time: 7:30 pm
TV: MAX/TNT
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
New York Rangers -1.5 ML -142
Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 ML +120
O/U 6
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
New York Rangers Notes:
The New York Rangers return their core from last year’s President’s Trophy-winning team. The Rangers return all six of their leading scorers from 2023-24, and 11 of their top 13 goal scorers overall. The team should overcome the departures from last season (Erik Gustafsson, Blake Wheeler, Barclay Goodrow, plus their trade rentals of Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg). Otherwise, the same crew that we all know is trying to run it back for what could be the final time.
Pittsburgh Penguins Notes:
The Penguins will hit the ice running with a quick back-to-back right away. Pittsburgh plays again tomorrow then plays a dreaded three games in four days (and four games in six, five in eight, and up to 10 games in the first 17 days) right off the bat. An early road trip for Pittsburgh which includes travel to Detroit tomorrow night, followed by Toronto on Saturday night, and, a game in Montreal on Monday. It is going to be a whirlwind right from the jump. The Pens are back home again a week from today to host the Sabres.
New York Rangers Lineup:
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith
Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe
Miller-Fox
Schneider-Trouba
Jones-Mancini
Shesterkin
Quick
Pittsburgh Penguins Lineup:
O’Connor-Crosby-Beauvillier
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
McGroarty-Eller-Puljujarvi
Hayes-Glass-Acciari
Grzelcyk-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Graves-St. Ivany
Jarry
Blomqvist
Players To Watch:
New York Rangers – Reilly Smith plays his first game as a Ranger after spending last season with Pittsburgh where the forward totaled 40 points. Artemi Panarin is fresh off a 120-point season in 2023-24. Chris Kreider has scored at least one goal in five of his last six games against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Rutger McGroarty makes his NHL debut tonight for Pittsburgh. Evgeni Malkin is two goals away from 500 and two assists away from 800 for his career. Sidney Crosby is the 11th player in NHL history to play his first 20 seasons with the same club.
Injuries:
New York Rangers – Ryan Lindgren (Upper Body – IR), Jimmy Vesey (Lower Body – LTIR)
Pittsburgh Penguins – Nieto (Knee – LTIR), Nedeljkovic (Lower Body – IR), Rust (Lower Body), Lizotte (Concussion)
Next game
New York Rangers – October 12 vs Utah at 7:00 pm
Pittsburgh Penguins – October 10 at Detroit at 7:00 pm
