The New York Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7-3, on Wednesday. In the course of the sport, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan made an fascinating transfer.
He moved Gabe Perreault out of the highest line, putting Will Cuylle subsequent to Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller. Cuylle ended the sport with two objectives, proving that Sullivan made the best name.
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper lined up Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and Brayden Level for that matchup. Sullivan made the choice to not expose Perreault, a rookie with little expertise, in opposition to an elite line and opted for a extra bodily and mature winger who may deal with board battles, forecheck and backcheck.
Why Mike Sullivan made the best name by shifting Gabe Perreault
Sullivan confirmed that his choice was based mostly on the texture of the sport. “A few of it was simply based mostly on the texture of the sport, however a few of it was simply from a matchup technique standpoint,” he mentioned, via New York Post’s Mollie Walker.
Dealing with the road chosen by Tampa Bay required transition protection and self-discipline with out the puck. The coach of the Blueshirts interpreted that Cuylle suits higher in that position.
Perreault is a inventive participant, however he nonetheless doesn’t have the defensive abilities for that degree. Cuylle affords higher puck safety, wall play and defensive monitoring.
Sullivan protected Perreault’s confidence and prioritized, on the identical time, the speedy efficiency of the crew, sustaining the useful chemistry of Zibanejad and Miller in a troublesome context. The outcome was the 2 objectives from Cuylle.
Sullivan seems to have adopted a practical improvement philosophy, giving his rookies favorable roles. He surely will progressively improve the problem as they progress.
