Rangers HC Mike Sullivan proven right on rookie demotion

The New York Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7-3, on Wednesday. During the game, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan made an interesting move. He moved Gabe Perreault out of the top line, placing Will Cuylle next to Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller. Cuylle ended the game with two goals, proving that Sullivan made the right call. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper lined up Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point for that matchup. Sullivan made the decision not to expose Perreault, a rookie with little experience, against an elite line and opted for a more physical and mature winger who could handle board battles, forecheck and backcheck. Sullivan confirmed that his decision was based on the feel of the game. “Some of it was just based on the feel of the game, but some of it was just from a matchup strategy standpoint,” he said, via New York Post’s Mollie Walker. Facing the line chosen by Tampa Bay required transition coverage and discipline without the puck. The coach of the Blueshirts interpreted thatRead More