Why slumping Rangers captain trying not to get ‘wrapped up in that sh**’
After another game when the New York Rangers could’ve used more production from their captain to achieve a better result than the 3-2 road loss against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, J,T. Miller admitted he’s frustrated by his scoring slump. But Miller made clear that he’s not going to let it drag him down, like it would’ve earlier in his NHL career.
“if I can raise my personal standard and lead the team a littler bit better production-wise, I think our outcomes in these games are going to change,” Miller said postgame. “So, it’s making me frustrated, and it’s hard to control that sometimes, if I’m just being honest. I understand that if I’m producing the way I’m capable of producing our record might look a helluva’ lot different.
“Trust me, it’s on my mind. But at the same time, I’ve come a long way in the sense of not getting wrapped up in that sh–.”
Miller correctly pointed out that he continues to “lead by example,” including playing physically, getting to the net, and winning face-offs (team-best 58.1 percent). He downplayed the fact that he regularly is tasked with shutting down the opponent’s top forwards, and that his defensive game is exemplary this season.
“I’ve been playing against top lines for a handful of years now … but I certainly expect a helluva lot more production that what I have,” he explained. “I never have really gauged my game on points. I’ve said that a lot. Typically when I bring my game, points come. That being said, it seems this year that nothing’s really going in the net.”
The 32-year-old has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 21 games, and is sixth on the Rangers in scoring. Miller has five points at 5v5, and only two power-play points (both assists), despite a plethora of great scoring chances. His shooting percentage is an unsustainably low 8.3 percent. After the Rangers acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks last season, Miller scored 13 goals in 32 games down the stretch and had a 23.6 percent shooting percentage.
Even going head-to-head with other top lines this season, Miller owns an xGF of 55.93 percent 5v5, and the Rangers own a decided edge in high-danger scoring chances (72-42) with him out there 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick.
Yet, here we — and they — are.
J.T. Miller puts Rangers scoring issues on his shoulders
Miller’s certainly had some clutch moments this season for the Rangers, who are 10-9-2 a quarter of the way through the 2025-26 campaign. He scored the shootout winner against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and had the overtime-winning goal in Edmonton against the Oilers on Oct. 30.
However, the slumping center also has just one goal in his past nine games, and two points (including a secondary assist Tuesday in Vegas) in his past eight. He’s not the only key player struggling for the Rangers, who are 30th in the NHL, averaging 2.48 goals per game, but Miller is becoming the face of their scoring issues.
“We’ve had a big enough sample size, 25 percent of the season is gone,” Miller admitted, though he put the onus on himself not on his teammates.
Miller’s track record points to better days ahead, as long as the Rangers captain continues to play the right way. He’s an eight-time 20-goal scorer, and just two seasons ago set career highs with 37 goals and 103 points with the Canucks.
The next chance to pull out of his scoring slump arrives Thursday, when the Rangers visit the League-leading Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
