The addition of J.T. Miller should help the Rangers push for the playoffs.

You all know what Friday means; it's time for our weekly ASK THE MAVEN. Today's question comes from Ronnie Maxwell of Greenfield Park, N.Y. Take it away, Ronnie:

NOW THAT J.T. MILLER HAS GOTTEN A FEEL FOR THE RANGERS SYSTEM, HOW DO YOU THINK HE'LL DO IN THE HOMESTRETCH?

The Maven Answers: For months before he actually arrived in New York, Miller was being viewed as an inevitable Ranger. Had he arrived earlier there's no question that the Blueshirts would not be in the dire straits that they now find themselves in, but that's the way it goes. We now have to deal with the present and future.

My expectation – or, hope, if you will – was that Miller would become a latter-day Mark Messier; take over the team's leadership and put New York on a winning track as happened in 1994.

The difference is that Messier had an entire 1993-94 season to shape up the Rangers as an eventual Cup-winner. Miller does not have that luxury but he does have the will and talent to deliver positive results which means that the Blueshirts ultimately will make the playoffs.

What it will come down to in the end will be the support provided by the offensive core – led by Breadman Panarin and, hopefully Mika Zibanejad as well as Vincent Trocheck.

Likewise, Igor Shesterkin must lift his game to a Vezina level and the defense must tighten up. All of the above is possible and – with J.T. Miller's leadership, a rush to a playoff berth is entirely possible.