Mike Sullivan opens up about 'flood of emotions' in return to Pittsburgh.

Saturday night was a big night for New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan as he returned to PPG Paints Arena as part of the visiting team for the first time in well over a decade.

Sullivan, who won a pair of Stanley Cups as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was a beloved figure in the City of Pittsburgh for many years and that was reflected during Saturday night's game between the Rangers and Penguins when he received a great deal of love from the Penguins faithful in attendance.

During the opening period of the game Sullivan received a wonderful video tribute from the Penguins organization, one that elicited a long round of cheers from the crowd and one that caused Sullivan's face to contort with emotion as he attempted to hold back a flood of tears that was bubbling up under the surface. It was an emotional moment for Sullivan, the Penguins and their fans and following the conclusion of the game Sullivan opened up about just how much that moment had meant to him.

"It's emotional." admitted Sullivan. "It means a lot."

Sullivan showed great class and, despite having just suffered a tough loss, expressed his gratitude to the fans in Pittsburgh, the Penguins organization, and the players that played under him for many, many years.

"I'm grateful for everything that we accomplished together during my time," said Sullivan. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to coach here in Pittsburgh for 10 years and I'm so grateful to the group of players over those years that performed the way they did, that allowed us to have the success that we had."

It was clear that the tribute and the reception it received had meant a lot to Sullivan as well, with Sullivan going out of his way to make mention of it.

"When you watch a tribute like that, which I was very appreciative of, it brings back a flood of emotions," admitted Sullivan.

Sullivan was far from the only person in the building on Saturday night to get emotional during what was a beautiful moment for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.