Mike Sullivan won’t have to wait long to be behind the New York Rangers bench and coach against his former team. Sullivan officially begins his tenure as Rangers coach Oct. 7 when they open the 2025-26 season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

Monday, the NHL announced that the Penguins will play the season opener against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 7. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan will get his first meeting against his former team out of the way early. The NHL unveiled its three-game Opening Night slate for the 2025-26 season on Monday, revealing that the Blueshirts will take on the Penguins in their first game of the season on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.