J.T. Miller did, in fact, make the trip back to New York on Sunday with the Rangers. But the way the winger played on their two-game road trip through Florida, he may have wanted to keep skating in the Sunshine State.
Miller scored the game-winning goal in Thursday’s overtime win over the Lightning before tallying three assists, including one on Kevin Shattenkirk’s game-winner, in another overtime win Saturday against the Panthers.
“These could have been two of the stronger games he’s played so far this year,” coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday. “We need him to be a force. He’s got tons of potential and he’s a veteran player. We need him to play like a true veteran and a true leader on this team.”
The 24-year-old Miller now has 11 points in the past 10 games and is tied for the team lead with 14 points heading into Monday’s home game against the Blue Jackets.
“What I liked the most about his game was the plays that he made with the puck, the high-percentage plays, the high-percentage decisions that he made,” Vigneault said. “I thought defensively, he was working real hard to get back into position to help out.”
Boo Nieves returned to the ice Sunday after missing Saturday’s game with what was believed to be the flu.
Vigneault said Sunday that it might have actually been food poisoning, but confirmed Nieves will be back in the lineup against the Blue Jackets.
“It was a rough night, but I’m starting to feel better,” Nieves said.
Nieves skated on the fourth line with Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast.
There was no rest for the weary as the Rangers held practice immediately after their flight back from Florida landed Sunday afternoon.
The Blueshirts were originally scheduled to have the day off for travel, but Vigneault made a late audible.
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“[President Glen Sather] has been after me for five years, coming off the plane to put them on the ice,” Vigneault said. “[Sunday] I thought it was the right day to do it. With the marathon back in New York, guys would be coming into traffic, so we postponed things a little bit.
“… Seventy-five percent of the guys loved it. The other 25 didn’t say anything,” Vigneault added with a laugh.
The Rangers will hold a pregame ceremony Monday to honor Rick Nash, who played his 1,000th career NHL game Oct. 26 against the Coyotes. The left wing’s first 674 career games came with the Blue Jackets from 2002-2012 before he was traded to the Rangers.