The Penguins are now in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lighting, with Game 1 at Consol Energy Center on Friday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports), but Pittsburgh's fortunes didn't reverse at the beginning of this season either.
"There was something about this team, especially when you look at the start of the season, that wasn't right," Rutherford said.
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The Penguins struggled in the first two months, winning 15 of 28 games through Dec. 11, when Pittsburgh lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Los Angeles Kings. Coach Mike Johnston was fired the following day and replaced with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan lost his first four games, but his philosophy slowly took shape. The Penguins began shooting more and became noticeably quicker.
That approach eventually led to wins, which led to Pittsburgh finishing second in the Metropolitan Division behind the Washington Capitals.
"When Mike Sullivan came in, there was an immediate connection between the players and coach," Rutherford said. "It was only a matter of time."
Rutherford said jokingly that Sullivan's ability to win is his most likable quality, but added that Sullivan's personality has gripped Pittsburgh's locker room.
"I'm just trying to be myself and to approach this job the best way I know how," Sullivan said. "I'm a straight-forward guy. I've tried to be straight-forward with this group."
Pittsburgh's patience was rewarded. Rutherford added one of the NHL's premier scorers, Phil Kessel; a speedy left wing, Carl Hagelin; an efficient offensive defenseman, Trevor Daley; and a veteran leader, fourth-line center Matt Cullen.