Mike Sullivan Celebrates First Win with the Rangers
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Mike Sullivan added a new memory to his already extensive personal hockey collection. He received the game puck after his first win as coach of the New York Rangers. Although it doesn’t equal the two Stanley Cups he won during his ten years as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the importance of the 4-0 victory over Buffalo did not go unnoticed by Sullivan on Thursday night.Sullivan added: “I have 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.” This victory was Sullivan’s 480th in his career and came two days after the Rangers lost 3-0 at home to the Penguins. Sullivan was fired by Pittsburgh after failing to make the playoffs for a third straight season, before landing almost immediately in New York following Peter Laviolette’s dismissal by the Rangers. 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 tasked with providing structure and discipline to a team that crumbled both on and off the court after missing the playoffs last year. The victory over Buffalo was just the beginning for Sullivan, who laughed as he recounted how the newly appointed captain J.T. Miller handed him the puck.It’s an honor, said Sullivan, originally from Massachusetts and the only U.S.-born coach to have won at least two Cups.
Mike Sullivan
Although there is still much work to be done, Sullivan was impressed by his team’s response after a lackluster outing 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.Miller joked about the length of our video meetings, Sullivan said. “But they will remain long until we are on the same page.”
Mike Sullivan
I’m excited about the group of players we have here. I think there’s a certain buzz around the team right now from the first day of training camp, Sullivan said. 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.
Mike Sullivan
