NEW YORK — The Dan Muse era began Tuesday with a 3-0 win for the Penguins.

In Muse’s first game as an NHL head coach, the Penguins won their season opener against Mike Sullivan and the rival New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

It was probably happenstance that Muse’s first game as a head coach came against his previous team. He spent just two seasons as an assistant here in the Big Apple. But it was hardly a coincidence that the NHL pitted Sullivan against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in an Opening Night showcase game being aired on national TV.

The Penguins didn’t exactly dazzle those casual observers with offensive wizardry Tuesday. Instead, it was a blue-collar effort for them in Muse’s debut. The Penguins defended hard in front of surprise starting goalie Arturs Silovs and

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