Penguins vs. Rangers Game 1, 2015 NHL playoffs: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins kick off their 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs series at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The Metropolitan Division rivals played in the second round of the 2014 postseason, with the Rangers winning the series in seven games and ultimately advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins struggled at the end of the season. In fact, they came very close to missing the playoffs after going on a 4-9-2 run in their final 15 games. The Pens are loaded with injuries on the blueline and that’s troubling: Kris Letang (concussion) is not expected to play in the postseason, and Christian Ehrhoff (concussion) and Derrick Pouliot (upper-body) are not expected to play in Game 1.

It’s not going to be an easy series for the Pens and we’re not sure Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can carry the load without help from their supporting cast.

The New York Rangers enter the postseason having set a franchise record of 53 wins, and winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since the 1993-94 season. The Rangers had a deadly run in the second half of the regular season where they went 29-9-3.

It’s pretty clear that the Rangers are one of the best teams from top-to-bottom at all three positions (forward, defense, goaltending), and they’re now the clear favorite to win the East. The Rangers probably aren’t going to necessarily “destroy” the Penguins like some are suggesting, but they clearly have the edge given Pittsburgh’s injuries.