New York Rangers Daily: K’Andre Miller injury concern, J.T. Miller returns to Canucks
Since it’s the New York Rangers, even some good news comes with concerns.
All in all, the Rangers had themselves a good 3-2 win against the slumping Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. But as detailed in our three takeaways from the game, there’s concern over defenseman K’Andre Miller, who didn’t play at all in the third period with an upper-body injury.
The Rangers don’t practice Thursday, so the next Miller update may not come until Friday. Including Jacob Trouba, who was traded last week to the Anaheim Ducks, that’s two defensemen who play 20+ minutes a night no longer in the Rangers lineup, if, indeed, Miller misses some time. Keep in mind that newcomer Urho Vaakanainen is on IR.
Icing a defense corps that features, say, two of Victor Mancini, Matthew Robertson, Connor Mackey, Ben Harpur and/or Brandon Scanlin is a concern, and would put greater pressure on Zac Jones to take on a larger role.
That said, let’s wait for the Miller update before true panic sets in.
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New York Rangers news
Rangers prospect Noah Laba — photo courtesy Alan Selavka
Mika Zibanejad scored his 300th NHL goal in the win Wednesday. Prior to the game we posted a story quoting Hall of Fame reporter Larry Brooks from an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, stating that Zibanejad ‘spirals’ when criticized.
Alan Selavka traveled to Rhode Island to file a first-hand take on Rangers center prospect Noah Laba, who was playing that night for Colorado College against Providence.
Our Hartford Wolf Pack weekly focused in part on Rangers forward prospect Dylan Roobroeck, who’s finding consistency during his rookie pro season, and an improving power play.
NHL news
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson will be forced to wear a fishbowl face shield for several weeks after he was hit in the face by a slap shot off the stick of teammate Jakob Chychrun in a game Saturday. Wilson explained Wednesday that the shot broke bones in his sinus cavity.
More on the Capitals, who remain atop the Metropolitan Division with 40 points. Alex Ovechkin was joined on the ice by long-time running mate Nicklas Backstrom in a workout Wednesday. Ovechkin is working his way back from a broken leg. Backstrom is on indefinite leave after hip resurfacing surgery and is not expected to play again in the NHL. But it was good to those two back together, even for just one day.
J.T. Miller was back on the ice for his first full practice with the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, after the former Rangers forward took a leave of absence for personal reasons last month. Coach Rick Rocchet said “it’s a possibility” that Miller could play against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
It was a rough night for Trouba on Wednesday. In his second game with the Ducks, the former Rangers captain was on ice for the first four goals scored by the Ottawa Senators in a 5-1 Ducks loss. Two of the goals against were even strength and two were on the power play; and Trouba was on ice for Anaheim’s only goal late in the third period.
Watch Drake Batherson score a natural hat trick for the Senators in their win against Trouba and Co.
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