NEW YORKDelayed by nearly four years, J.T. Miller's first experience playing in an outdoor NHL game could not have turned out any better New Year's Day at Citi Field.
The 24-year-old former first-round pick slammed home the rebound of a Kevin Shattenkirk power-play shot 2:43 into overtime, lifting the Rangers to a over the Sabres in the league's 10thannual Winter Cla sic in front of 41,821 frozen yet very loud fans.
"It was a blast, obviously everything I hoped it would be," Miller said from underneath his faded baseball eye black. "To get a win in front of 40,000 plus is Brooks Orpik Jersey really special for the group."
MORE:
Almost all of Miller's postgame remarks revolved around the team, not the individual, just another sign of the maturity on and off the ice he lacked when the Rangers last took part in outdoor games during Martin Fehervary Jersey the 2013-14 season.
Miller's immaturity and lack of discipline were his trademarks that season, one in which the then-20-year-old clashed often with head coach Alain Vigneault. The recipient of some consistent tough love from Vigneault, Miller played in only 30 games with the Rangers that season and was in the minor leagues when the Blueshirts played in a pair of outdoor games at Yankee Stadium against the Devils and Islanders as part of the Stadium Series in late January of 2014.
THE OLYMPIAN:
It took much hard work and patience, but Miller grew up and turned into one of the Rangers most important players in recent years. Evgeny Kuznetsov Jersey He scored 22 goals each of the last two seasons andrecorded a career-high 56 points a year ago. His eighth goal of the season Monday gives him 25 points, presently tied for second on the team.
All of that made his special moment at this year's Winter Cla sic even more rewarding.
"It's kind of hard to describe," Miller said of his feelings following the goal. "You think about stuff likethat, but you don't. Obviously, it's super lucky to have the whole net right there. In that situation, I'm just trying to take the goalie's eyes away and I got lucky it bounced to my stick."
for !
New York Rangers (@NYRangers)
Shattenkirk provided a more detailed description of the moment Miller banged in his rebound, setting off an explosion of noise inside the home of baseball's New York Mets.
"You realize that you won the game and then when you realize the stage and where you just did it, Ithink that's something that's really special," offered Shattenkirk. "You kind of hear that delayed roar because the fans aren't really that on top of you. But when it hits you Kody Clark Jersey , it's just an amazing feeling to know that there are that many people here to watch a hockey game."
The goal showcased much of Miller's skillsetthough not all. He had the hockey smarts and willingne s to get to the net, trying to screen Sabres goalie Robin Lehner. Then he displayed extremely quick hands to reach the puck first and deposit it behind Lehner before defenseman Marco Scandella could make a play on the puck.
"He did a great job on the shot, got a nice tip on it, and his ability to stay with it and have the presence of mind to find that rebound was a great play by him," explained Shattenkirk.
Miller's heroics helped the Rangers avoid an unsatisfying result. They led 2-0 just 8:20 into the game on goals by Paul Carey and Michael Grabner, and seemed on the verge of runningthe last-place Sabres out of the stadium. Buffalo responded with goals early in the Jakub Vrana Jersey second and third periods by Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen, and very nearly snapped New York's perfect outdoor record.
Facts from today Nic Dowd Jersey s win!The Rangers are the first team with 4 outdoor wins.Henrik first goalie with 4 outdoor wins.Henrik ties Esposito for 8th on the all time wins list.
New York Rangers (@NYRangers)
But Miller came to the rescue and the Rangers improved to 4-0-0 all-time in outdoor contests.
"There's a lot of build up to these games and you want to make to make this a good memory," said Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh. "To be able to come away with that win inthat fashion, it makes this memory all the more sweeter."
Related Articles The evolution of Auston Matthews
