J.T. Miller's Faceoff Percentages Are Another Example Of Playoff Dominance
Vancouver Canucks J.T. Miller has taken his faceoff game to another level during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - J.T. Miller's Faceoff Percentages Are Another Example Of Playoff DominanceFew players on the Vancouver Canucks have been as good as J.T. Miller through the first 11 games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks star has 12 points through 11 games and has helped keep Connor McDavid off the scoresheet in two of five games during Vancouver's second-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. One area, though, that doesn't get the credit it deserves is Miller's faceoff statistics, which are among the best in the league so far this postseason.
Miller was strong in the faceoff dot during the regular season but has kicked it into high gear during the postseason. He has seen his overall win percentage jump from 56.3% to 59%, which ranks second in the playoffs among players who have taken at least 50 draws. The most significant improvement, however, has come in his own zone, where Miller has seen a jump from 54.9% all the way to 61.8% on defensive zone draws.
As for this series, Miller has dominated when forced to take a draw in his own zone. Miller has won 65.6% of the 32 defensive zone draws he included winning two key defensive zone faceoffs on the penalty kill in Game 5. Ultimately, his ability to win these defensive draws not only helps the Canucks gain possession but also limits what the opposition can do in the offensive zone, as it often leads to breakouts the other way.
The biggest takeaway from Miller's success in the faceoff dot is that he is winning key draws at a consistent rate. He is over 61% in both the offensive and defensive zones and has gone seven for ten on the penalty kill so far this postseason. In the end, his ability to win faceoffs has been a crucial part of Vancouver's success so far and is just another example of how Miller has stepped up his game during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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