J.T. Miller made a quick impact in his return to the New York Rangers, scoring two goals in a 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, just a day after being traded from the Vancouver Canucks.
The Rangers sent center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a 2025 conditional draft pick to Vancouver for the 31-year-old Miller and a pair of defensemen.
“It’s kind of like a numb feeling,” Miller said after the game, packing up his old Canucks gear. “It’s definitely been a long 24 hours.” He mentioned arriving in Boston around 3 a.m.
Originally drafted by the Rangers in 2011 before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2018, Miller scored his first goal with the Rangers midway through the first period. He received a pass from Artemi Panarin in the slot and fired a shot past Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman to tie the game at 1-1.
“It feels nice to chip in,” Miller said of his two goals. “I’ve been pretty snakebit for most of the year, especially lately. I guess to see one go in is nice, and obviously first game back was a little extra special, for sure.”
Miller added a power-play goal early in the third period, receiving a pass from Mika Zibanejad and scoring in front to cut the Bruins’ lead to 4-2.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette praised Miller’s abilities: “He’s a power forward that can play the game hard. He can score goals and make plays. He’s got an edge to his game and plays different positions, so it’s a big piece.”
Miller joined a Rangers team that was battling for a playoff spot, entering the day sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Laviolette gave him simple advice before the game after Miller had flown in from Dallas, where he was a late scratch in Vancouver’s 5-3 loss the previous night: “At the end of it, I just said, ‘Take it all in.
You now have a starting point of information but focus on just going out and playing hard and having fun,’” Laviolette said. “Don’t think too much. Play first, think second.”
Miller wore No. 8 for the Rangers, a number that was available to him because No. 9 (his number in Vancouver) was retired in honor of former player Andy Bathgate. He started the game on the team’s top line.
Zibanejad believes Miller’s experience and skill will be a great asset to the team: “A player with experience and the skill, we’re excited to have him.”
In his second year of a seven-year, $56 million contract, Miller was acquired to strengthen a Rangers team that had struggled after winning the Presidents’ Trophy and reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season.
“I couldn’t be happier to be here now,” Miller said. “It’s been one of the best teams in the league. … I’m excited about trying to get them back in the playoff picture here.”
Miller had recorded nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games with Vancouver this season.
