In a poignant season opener, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers 3-0, overshadowing Mike Sullivan’s debut as head coach of the Rangers. Arturs Silovs earned his first NHL shutout with 25 saves, and Justin Brazeau scored twice to secure the win for Pittsburgh.
The game unfolded at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, setting the stage for an emotional confrontation. Sullivan, who guided the Penguins to two Stanley Cups during his 10-year tenure, returned to the NHL bench with the Rangers, facing the very team he once led. The atmosphere was charged with history, as Sullivan’s departure from Pittsburgh in April and subsequent hiring by New York in May added layers to the rivalry.
Pittsburgh established control early, with Brazeau opening the scoring at 19:28 of the first period. Evgeni Malkin won a face-off and swiftly passed to Brazeau, who capitalized with a backhand shot. The Penguins maintained pressure throughout, outshooting the Rangers 15-5 in the third period and adding two empty-net goals in the final minutes to clinch the victory.
Silovs, acquired in a July trade from Vancouver, was impeccable in net, recording his first regular-season shutout in his 20th NHL game. His performance echoed a previous playoff shutout with the Canucks, and he became only the second Penguins goalie to start a season with a shutout, joining Marc-Andre Fleury. “It felt great to be on a new team,” Silovs said, highlighting his confidence and the team’s chemistry.
Sullivan reflected on the strange dynamic of competing against former stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. “I mean, obviously it’s different,” he admitted. “But I’m excited about the group we have here with the Rangers.” He acknowledged the team’s inconsistency and emphasized the need for growth, stating, “We’ve got a long way to go to become the team we want to become.”
For the Penguins, Dan Muse celebrated his first NHL win as head coach, having served as a Rangers assistant the past two seasons. Muse praised his team’s effort and preparation, calling it an honor to lead the historic franchise. Crosby commended the team’s support and Silovs’ key saves, noting the solid start to the season.
The Rangers, however, faced offensive struggles, failing to convert on two power plays and generating limited chances. Captain J.T. Miller conceded that Pittsburgh outplayed them, while Mika Zibanejad pointed to a lack of late-game urgency. Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves but received little offensive support, as the team was shut out in a season opener for the first time since 2021.
Sullivan’s journey back to New York, where he was an assistant from 2009 to 2013, underscores his deep ties to the organization. His hiring made him the NHL’s highest-paid coach, and despite the loss, he remains focused on building the Rangers into contenders. The Penguins, with their veteran core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang starting a record 20th season together, look to build on this momentum. As Sullivan said, “It’s one game,” reminding everyone that the long season ahead holds ample opportunity for redemption and growth.
