J.T. Miller reconnecting with the Rangers after injury in preseason

Rangers’ JT Miller Shows Signs of Recovery After Injury

During the Rangers’ season opener, it was pretty clear that JT Miller wasn’t quite himself yet. He’d been dealing with a lower-body injury from the preseason, and his performance reflected that.

Miller mentioned last Tuesday that, well, his legs felt heavy. He indicated that it might take a bit of time and some game repetitions before he returns to the player the Blueshirts had acquired and made captain last summer.

But then, things started to change, which was encouraging.

He netted his first goal late in Thursday’s victory against the Sabers and skated with Will Quill and Conor Sheary on Sunday. That line proved effective, generating multiple scoring opportunities.

The Rangers have been juggling their line combinations already—a bit of a scramble just four games into the season due to an upper-body injury to Vincent Trocheck. However, Miller’s contributions are proving beneficial, giving the newly formed line a solid boost.

After a 1-0 loss to the Capitals on Sunday, manager Kyle remarked about Miller’s determination: “He just worked really hard. That’s what he always brings. He’s our leader, so it feels like he’s right in the trenches, and everyone is following his example.”

Following Trocheck’s injury, Mika Zibanejad moved to center with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, while Sheary joined Miller and Quill. Remarkably, both lines managed to keep producing, adapting under coach Mike Sullivan’s leadership.

Sullivan lauded Zibanejad’s all-around efforts before the Sunday match. Miller had already tallied 35 points in 32 games last season after joining the Rangers from the Canucks, and it seems he’s starting to pick up where he left off, having collected three points in his last three games even after a rocky start.

As the team waits for Trocheck’s potential return—or in case more injuries happen—things could shift again. Still, Quill mentioned post-game that he felt their line had been “building up over the last few games” and felt they deserved more recognition for their efforts, especially with a more energized Miller at the helm.

“We have a lot of predictability,” Quill pointed out regarding his partnership with Miller and Sheary. “We’re focusing on North-South hockey, winning those one-on-one battles, and getting the puck to the net.”

The Rangers went scoreless in both of their games at home but will face the defending Western Conference champion Oilers on Tuesday, entering with a renewed sense of purpose.

Edmonton has averaged three goals per game so far this season, yet their star player, Connor McDavid, hasn’t found the net yet. Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl and Andrew Mangiapane each have scored twice under the new guidance of former AHL Hartford coach Chris Knoblauf.