Penguins Prepare for Islanders Clash Following Historic Debuts and Silovs‘ shutout
PITTSBURGH – October 9, 2025 – The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Islanders tonight at PPG Paints Arena, riding high after a successful season opener and a night of franchise milestones in New York. The Penguins are looking to build on Tuesday’s 1-0 shutout victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs was instrumental in the win, stopping all 25 shots in his NHL debut and earning a shutout – a feat only previously accomplished by Maxime Lagace on May 8, 2021, for the Penguins. Silovs also joined Marc-Andre Fleury (Oct. 3, 2013 & Oct. 5, 2006) as one of only two Penguins goaltenders to record a shutout in a season opener. At 24 years old and 199 days, Silovs became the ninth-youngest goaltender to achieve a shutout in a franchise debut since 1985-86, and the third-youngest to record a season-opening shutout on the road in NHL history.
Tuesday’s game also marked the NHL debuts of forward Ben Kindel (2025, Round 1, 11th overall) and defenseman Harrison Brunicke (2024, Round 2, 44th overall). Kindel,born April 19,2007,is the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to debut,while Brunicke,born April 8,2006,is the sixth-youngest defenseman. They represent only the third pair of teenagers in franchise history to debut on the same night.Notably, before Kindel was born, Penguins captain Sidney crosby had already completed his first Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award-winning season (2006-07) and accumulated 222 points (75G-147A) in 160 regular-season games.
The 2025-26 season is Sidney Crosby’s 21st with the Penguins – the most by any player in franchise history. Teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are tied for second-most seasons with the team. Crosby joins Alex Delvecchio (24 seasons), Stan Mikita (22 seasons) and Steve Yzerman (22 seasons) as the fourth player in NHL history to spend their entire career with one team spanning a minimum of 21 seasons. Alex Ovechkin will become the fifth player to reach this milestone Thursday night. Crosby is also the longest-tenured captain in NHL history, entering his 19th season wearing the ”C” for Pittsburgh. He currently ranks fifth among active skaters in regular-season games played (1,353),first in points (1,687) and assists (1,062),and second in goals (625) – ninth most points in NHL history. He needs just one more assist to tie Steve Yzerman for ninth all-time.
The Penguins have now had two players - Muse and Crosby – achieve championships at multiple levels (NCAA, USHL, IIHF U18/U20, NHL) similar to Nashville and New York.
