New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller is possibly facing a three-game suspension after receiving a match penalty for spitting at Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.
The incident occurred with under five minutes to play in the first period, during the Blueshirts 5-2 win on Sunday night.
It was reported after the game that Miller and Doughty had a good conversation about what happened.
K’Andre Miller apologizes
Since coming to the NHL in 2020-21, Miller has been an honest and hardworking defender that plays a clean game. On the video replay, it clearly appears that Miller spits in the direction of Doughty as he glides backwards to the board.
On Monday, Miller took to social media to explain his actions and apologize publicly to Doughty.
“I wanted to take a moment to address what occurred in last night’s game. I have all the respect in the world for Drew Doughty and what happened was completely accidental,” Miller wrote. “I would never intend to do something like that on purpose, it goes against everything I am as a person a player.
“I felt awful about it and I am thankful Drew gave me the opportunity to apologize and explain myself in person after the game.”
Miller, 23, has six goals and 30 points in 60 games this season for the Rangers. If he misses anytime, it will be a challenge for the defense, who is already out without Ryan Lindgren (day-to-day) with a shoulder injury.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has scheduled a hearing for today. In 2019, Garnet Hathaway received a three-game ban for a similar incident.
If he’s suspended, the Rangers can call up a defenseman for Wednesday’s game against the Flyers, but that will likely push the expected Patrick Kane trade to Thursday.
Braden Schneider sent down
The Rangers rolled four defensemen against the Kings, keeping Braden Schneider on the bench not to risk injury. They did so to send him to the AHL, which was done immediately after the game accruing cap space to bring in Kane as early as Wednesday.
Schneider, 21, has five goals and 15 points in 59 games this season. This is considered a paper transaction as he’s not expected to report to Hartford.
He will be recalled for Wednesday matchup versus the Flyers.
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