Sullivan Secures First Rangers Victory: Analysis and Reactions

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Mike Sullivan adds a new memory to his personal hockey collection after obtaining the game puck following his first win as coach of the New York Rangers. Although it doesn’t equal the two Stanley Cup titles he won during his 10 years as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the importance of the 4-0 victory over Buffalo on Thursday night did not go unnoticed by Sullivan.

It’s an honor.

Sullivan

Sullivan, originally from Massachusetts and the only U.S.-born coach to win at least two Cups, expressed his gratitude.

I’ve said this on several occasions since I got the job, it’s an incredible honor to be the head coach of the New York Rangers, a franchise with so much history. It’s a privilege that I don’t take for granted.

Sullivan

This victory was Sullivan’s 480th in his career and came two days after the Rangers started with a 3-0 home loss to the Penguins. Sullivan was fired by Pittsburgh after missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, before arriving in New York almost immediately after the Rangers fired Peter Laviolette. For Sullivan, it’s a fresh start in a familiar place, after spending four seasons as an assistant with the Rangers under John Tortorella. He is now tasked with providing structure and discipline to a team that crumbled both on and off the ice, missing the playoffs last year. The victory over Buffalo was just the beginning for Sullivan, who recalled with a smile how the newly appointed captain J.T. Miller handed him the puck.

[Miller] made a joke about the length of our video meetings. But they will continue to be long until we are on the same page.

Sullivan

Although there is still much work to be done, Sullivan was impressed by his team’s response after a lackluster performance against Pittsburgh, which was sealed with two empty-net goals. On Thursday, the Rangers outplayed the Sabres for much of the first period, building a 1-0 lead thanks to Alex Lafreniere’s goal at 11:43. Along with Igor Shersterkin’s 37-save performance, the Rangers closed strong with three goals in the final five minutes.

I’m excited about the group of players we have here. I think there’s some excitement on the team right now from the first day of training camp. It’s tangible, we can feel it. And I think we’re building a relationship with the players right now that will be significant in the future.

Sullivan