Rangers Daily: Spotlight on J.T. Miller; Canucks injury woes mount
J.T. Miller is feeling the heat right now and the timing probably couldn’t be any worse for the New York Rangers captain.
That’s because Miller returns to Vancouver with the Rangers on Tuesday for the first time since the Canucks traded him back to Broadway this past Jan. 31. And though he was largely a very popular player in Vancouver, there was that nasty dispute with Canucks teammate Elias Pettersson last season, which led to the trade.
So, you know that there’s going to be a lot of attention focused on Miller by the media — and fans — in hockey-crazed Vancouver ahead of, and during, the game Tuesday. And since the Rangers and their new captain are not exactly firing on all cylinders right now, Miller could be targeted in a negative, or sarcastic, way.
Miller will downplay his return, for sure. That’s his nature. He’s not one to seek the spotlight. But he became an NHL star during his time in Vancouver, and even had a 102-point season two years ago. So, this is a big deal Tuesday, one that goes beyond the inevitable tribute video and long ovation Miller will receive at Rogers Arena.
It’d all feel a bit better for Miller if he and the Rangers were playing better. The Rangers (3-5-2) are on a three-game skid (0-1-2) and just lost two straight to two of the worst teams in the League. That includes a stinker Sunday in Calgary, when the Rangers lost 5-1 to the woeful Flames.
Miller is third on the Rangers with six points (two goals, four assists) in 10 games. Like most of his teammates, Miller’s playing hard with a high compete level. But he’s squeezing the stick and failing to convert his scoring chances far more often than not.
His frustration, on and off the ice, is obvious. For better or worse, he is the face of the Rangers struggles right now.
He won’t admit it, but perhaps the visit to Vancouver will energize him. A big game by their captain certainly would be a massive lift for the Rangers, who are in major need of a positive jolt right about now.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here’s our game recap and key Rangers takeaways from that sloppy 5-1 loss to the Flames.
In his latest column, our John Kreiser questions whether the Rangers hit rock bottom after losing consecutive games against the Sand Jose Sharks and Flames.
Matt Rempe missed his first game of the season Sunday due to an upper-body injury. Rempe could return to the Rangers lineup before this road trip ends, however.
There was some good news this weekend in Hartford, where several key Rangers prospects helped the Wolf Pack break out for a 6-3 win Saturday. That group, notably, was led by Gabe Perreault.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnet: Already playing without captain Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks lost former Rangers defenseman Victor Mancini due to an unspecified injury halfway through their overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers. The Rangers visit the Canucks on Tuesday.
NHL.com: For his weekly column, Mike Zeisberger caught up with Team Canada general manager Dour Armstrong and his U.S. counterpart Bill Guerin to discuss preparing for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Despite extending their winning streak to eight straight games Sunday, the New Jersey Devils lost a key defenseman to injury. Brett Pesce was unable to finish the game after blocking a shot and sustaining an upper-body injury. He didn’t travel with the team on its four-game trip after the win against the Colorado Avalanche, and the Devils recalled Seamus Casey from the minors.
TSN: The Washington Capitals fired assistant Mitch Love, after the NHL suspended him for the rest of the season due to “allegations” which came to light when he interviewed for some head coaching vacancies in the League this past offseason.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Forward Rickard Rakell will miss eight weeks after he had surgery for a left-hand injury, which he sustained blocking a shot Saturday.
Sportsnaut: Marc Dumont breaks down what kind of impact Patrik Laine’s long-term absence will have on the Montreal Canadiens after his sports hernia surgery.
Daily Faceoff: The Nashville Predators are without captain Roman Josi, who’s week to week with an upper-body injury.
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