28 Jan 2025; New York, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) stands up from the ice after colliding with New York Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn images JT Miller’s debut succeeded from an individual point of view on Saturday, but his two goals were not enough to overcome another rough defensive performance of his new team, New York Rangers.
Losers of three straight after a 10-game point streak (7-0-3), Rangers hopes that Miller’s first home game in their second stint with the team will come with a better result on Sunday, when they host the sinking Vegas Golden Knights.
Rangers have been outscored 15-7 in their losing line after a distance where they allowed more than three goals on just two occasions. Their rough week ended with a 6-3 loss to the host Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Miller on Sunday will play his first home game as a member of Rangers since February 25, 2018. He was traded at Tampa Bay Lightning and then spent five-Plus seasons with Vancouver Canucks before traded on Friday.
On Saturday, Miller scored a binding goal halfway into the first period and added a power play 35 seconds in the third.
“It is obviously exciting, the talent he has and the player he is, a player with experience and skill,” said New York Center Mika Zibanejad. “It’s exciting to have him here. We’re happy to have him.”
According to Miller, the feeling is mutual.
“I couldn’t be happier to be here now,” Miller said, 31. “It’s been one of the best teams in the league. I’m excited to try to get them back in the playoffs here.”
Golden Knights LED a 2-1 setback to Rangers on January 11, and that meeting is part of a 3-6-3 distance. Vegas preceded this picture with 13 wins in 15 matches.
On Thursday, Tomas Hertl made 4:58 in the competition, but Vegas could not add and took a 2-1 overtime loss to Columbus Blue Jackets. Two nights earlier, Golden Knights 1:54 did in the match and held a two-goal lead before releasing a 4-3 OT decision to Dallas Stars.
Vegas was held under 30 shots on goal in four straight matches.
“We only had to find ways to generate more crimes, more appearance and just come back to what it was at the beginning of the year, which is a lot of traffic, point pictures, tips, things like that,” defender Noah Hanifin said. “We have a large, large group in front, and we have a little D that can move.”
One day after the loss to Columbus, Golden Knights Brandon Saad signed one year’s contract after he divorced with St. Louis Blues.
Saad is a twice Stanley Cup champion with Chicago Blackhawks 2013 and 2015. He recorded seven goals and 16 points in 43 matches for St. Louis before joining Golden Knights.
If Saad plays on Sunday, he will join a group that lacks William Karlsson during the last five matches with a lower bodily injury along with an assortment that has seen Captain Mark Stone points twice in the last 12 matches.
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