Mike Sullivan is one of the NHL’s top coaches, and arguably the most accomplished in Penguins history.

But he needs a Plan B.

For a brief moment in the Penguins’ first-round loss to the New York Rangers, Sullivan had one. It worked.

The Penguins had blown a 4-1 lead in Game 3 at PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers forged a 4-4 tie by netting three goals in less than 10 minutes.

But Danton Heinen scored with 8:58 left in regulation. The Penguins led 5-4.

For the rest of the game, the Penguins alternated between trapping and working the puck down low in the Rangers’ end. Sidney Crosby executed a memorable back-and-forth with the disc behind New York’s net.

The Penguins’ approach was diametrically opposed to their preferred style of speed uber alles, attacking off the rush, pinching defensemen and activating defensemen.

The Penguins managed score and situation.

It was quite odd to see those jerseys doing that.

It worked. The Penguins stifled the Rangers and added two empty-net goals to win 7-4.

In Game 5 and Game 6, the Penguins led by two. In Game 7, the Penguins led by one after two periods and until the Rangers tied it with 5:45 left in regulation.

They never once attempted what they did to win Game 3.

Fenway Sports Group owns the Penguins. They wanted to know what GM Ron Hextall’s plan was.

FSG should want to know what Sullivan’s plan is, too.

If it doesn’t include a Plan B, and if Sullivan insists on implementing nothing besides his breakneck method even as his talent continues to slow, FSG has a hard decision to make. Later, if not now.

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