Sidney Crosby remembers his first NHL game.

"It's one of those things I don't think you ever forget," the Penguins' captain said yesterday of a 5-1 loss Oct. 5, 2005, at New Jersey. "It's exciting, but, at the same time, I can remember plays."

One was his first point, an assist on a goal by Mark Recchi.

Crosby figures he will be on the other side of the Nassau Coliseum ice tonight when John Tavares experiences a lot of similar feelings.

Tavares was the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft by the New York Islanders -- the Penguins' opponent tonight -- and has been the focus of a lot of media and fan attention for years before that, though maybe not as much or for as long as Crosby was before the Penguins drafted him first overall in 2005.

"Anybody's first game is always a little nerve-racking and, at the same time, very exciting," Crosby said. "You're living out a dream. The main thing is to enjoy it."

Then, he smiled as he thought back to the weight of expectations that early in a player's career.

"You're not going to be judged on your career because of your first game," he said.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in town for the season-opening game against the New York Rangers last night and, beforehand, took a tour of the construction site of the new arena being built across the street.

"The Consol Energy Center is going to be spectacular," gushed Bettman, who was instrumental in helping the Penguins get the building funded.

"What I liked it about is it's big but intimate. You can go to the last row of seating in the upper deck and look down and you've got a great view of the ice. It looks like it's going to be comfortable. The concourses are wide.

"This is a state-of-the-art, first-class building."

The Consol Energy Center will open for the 2010-11 season.

This was the Penguins' fifth home opener against the Rangers, the most of any opponent. ... The Penguins play five of their next six games on the road. ... Penguins assistant to the general manager Tom Fitzgerald, who served as an assistant coach for the Stanley Cup run, was in town for the opener and pregame ceremony. He missed all the preseason because of a swimming accident that left him with a severe foot injury. ... The Penguins scratched their two newcomers, forward Chris Bourque and defenseman Martin Skoula. ... New York's only lineup scratch was winger Sean Avery (knee).

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.