Rangers open Mike Sullivan Era with a dud in shutout loss to Penguins

New coach, same Rangers. Opening night was a dud, far too reminiscent of last winter’s dismal campaign.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.Mike Sullivan replaced Peter Laviolette on the bench, but it was hard to see much of a difference from last year’s team that failed to reach the postseason for the first time in four years. The Rangers weren’t sharp for large stretches of this 3-0 loss at a quiet Garden against the Penguins, their new coach’s former team.They whiffed on two power plays, couldn’t take advantage of their opportunities and were fortunate that numerous own-zone giveaways didn’t result in more goals. New captain J.T.

Miller looked rusty after appearing in just one preseason game due to a lower-body injury.Igor Shesterkin (27) saves kept them in the game, but the Rangers could never get even against an aging opponent that is projected to be one of the weaker teams in the Eastern Conference this year.The shutout marked the first time the Rangers were blanked in an opener since the 2020-21 campaign, a 4-0 loss to the Islanders. Justin Brazeau scored twice for Pittsburgh, the second on an empty-netter, and Blake Lizotte added another empty-netter in the final minutes.The subpar effort led to a dreary crowd that was at its loudest when Aaron Judge’s game-tying, three-run homer for the Yankees was shown on the scoreboard.

There was even a “Let’s go Penguins” chant at one point in the second period. The first period ended in poor fashion, similar to so many periods last year.After a fairly strong start, the Rangers allowed a goal just 32 seconds before the first intermission.

Vincent Trocheck lost a faceoff in his own end, and Brazeau got behind the Rangers defensemen, beating Shesterkin up top for the first goal of the year at the Garden. It was a poor finish to the first 20 minutes, although there were things to li...