The New York Rangers picked up a really key victory against a team that is staying afloat but floundering, the St. Louis Blues, 2-1. This is one big step in the right direction for this team.
It was a small comeback victory, as the Blues jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period. Then, Gabe Perreault netted his first career goal to tie up the game. But, the moment of the night came in the extra frame, when one player on this team ascended into another title.
J.T. Miller is now "Captain Clutch".
Other teams should start paying attention to Miller in overtime
The Rangers have had 10 games go to overtime or a shootout, and Miller has ended the game three times, himself. This is also the second time in the last six days for the captain to score the game-winning goal.
With it being 3-on-3, the opportunities in overtime all come from gaining possession of the puck. It is a constant cycle of entering the zone, setting up a power-play-style umbrella, and looking for one open look for a shot on goal. Miller found that with a very nice screen in front by defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
It might be time for opposing teams to stick a body on him the moment he has the puck on his stick.
Miller stepped up, and kept this team alive
With Artemi Panarin out sick, the Rangers needed everyone to try to pitch in to compensate for his absence. Perreault got called up on Thursday and made an immediate impact with a power-play goal, the first of his hopefully long and prosperous career. And then it was Miller coming up in the clutch to end it.
The Blues have yet to win a game in the extra frame, dropping to 0-8, so they are due for one. That could have easily been the one, especially with how they played in the first 60 minutes of the game.
Miller has had a solid year, and this recent tally adds to his lore as the Rangers captain. Can he keep this team in line and continue to help this team win?