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.
Why Mike Sullivan made the right call by moving Gabe Perreault
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 that Cuylle fits better in that role.
Perreault is a creative player, but he still does not have the defensive skills for that level. Cuylle offers better puck protection, wall play and defensive tracking.
Sullivan protected Perreault’s confidence and prioritized, at the same time, the immediate performance of the team, maintaining the functional chemistry of Zibanejad and Miller in a tough context. The result was the two goals from Cuylle.
Sullivan seems to have adopted a pragmatic development philosophy, giving his rookies favorable roles. He surely will gradually increase the difficulty as they progress.
