This Saturday, March 22, marks the first time that J.T. Miller plays against his former team, the Vancouver Canucks, since he was traded to the team back in 2019. His last game against the Canucks was on December 18, 2018, as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Let’s take a look at Miller’s record against the Canucks before being traded to Vancouver.
Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:
In games against the Canucks as a member of both the Lightning and the New York Rangers, Miller has a record of 5–3–1. He registered a win and a loss as a member of the Lightning, and collected four wins and three losses with the Rangers. His first game against the Canucks was on December 13, 2014, in which New York won 5–1. During this, he scored the game-winning goal, won two of four faceoffs, and had three hits in 14:39 minutes played.
After his debut against the Canucks, Miller went pointless for two-straight against Vancouver. In this span of time, he put up two shots in each game, but had a giveaway in each and two takeaways in the second game. His playing time decreased in these games, as he soon went from 13:48 minutes to 13:21.
Miller’s next goal against the Canucks didn’t come until January 19, 2016. The Rangers took a 3–2 shootout win while Miller scored the overtime game-winning goal and registered a career-high eight shots against Vancouver. He finished the game with three hits, one block, three giveaways, and a +/– of +2. With all three periods as well as overtime, Miller clocked in a TOI of 20:07.
While his first game against the Canucks during 2016 was productive, he didn’t show much in the next game on November 8, putting up only one shot and a sub-50% faceoff win percentage. Only a week later, however, Miller had an impressive two-goal performance in the Rangers’ 7–2 victory against the Canucks. By the end of the 16:31 minutes he played throughout the game, he had four shots on goal.
During Miller’s final three games against the Canucks, one spent with the Rangers and two spent with the Lightning, he failed to put up any points. In his last game against Vancouver with New York, he had a +2 rating, one shot on goal, eight faceoff wins of 17 taken, three hits, two blocks, and four giveaways. He finished this game with 21:35 minutes played.
Miller’s matches against the Canucks as a member of the Lightning were somewhat unnoticeable. In his first, on October 11, 2018, he had a rating of –2 and only three faceoff wins of seven draws. As well, he had three hits in 15:52 minutes played. The game after, and his last game against the Canucks before becoming part of the team, he registered three shots. He had one hit, one takeaway, and one giveaway in 14:20 minutes.
The Rangers are currently two points out of a playoff spot, while the Canucks are only one out, meaning that Saturday’s match will be very important for both teams regardless of which conference they’re in. Vancouver will need to keep an eye on their formerly close friend if they want to continue their hopes of making the postseason.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.