TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The six games K’Andre Miller missed provided the 24-year-old defenseman with an opportunity to reflect.
It was his longest time away from game action in the middle of a season in his five-year NHL career, which was a learning experience in and of itself.
But Miller took it as a chance to think about himself, how his season has gone and what he can do to help the Rangers retake control of their season.
“I think, definitely, I can help contribute to this team a lot,” Miller told The Post before making his return to the Rangers lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Lightning at Amalie Arena. “Defending other players, top lines and making sure they’re not getting X amount of looks on net every night. Just being hard to play against and kind of having a mindset that I’ve done it for the last five years, what’s changed in this past year?
K’Andre Miller is back for the Rangers after a stint on injured reserve.
“I think just instilling that confidence in myself and just knowing that I can come back and dominate, honestly.”
Miller missed the entire third period of the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Sabres on Dec. 11, after he was upended by Buffalo forward Jordan Greenway less than halfway through the middle frame.
The Rangers put Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, but the Minnesota native said “there were a couple [of] different things.”
New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller (79) skates to the puck against New Jersey Devils right wing Dylan Wendt (73) during the second period of a NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in New York.
He added that he’s doing better now and feeling good.
With the team on the road for four of the six games Miller missed, the 6-foot-5 blueliner said he looked for ways to stay positive and stay in communication with his teammates.
Maintaining a good mindset and helping team morale was a priority for Miller, who said he just tried to be a good teammate while he was out.
“It sucked, I don’t like being out,” he said. “Obviously, I wish I was able to help contribute to the team and help those guys through the couple games I missed. I’m grateful it wasn’t anything too serious that kept me out even longer.”
A restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of this season, Miller has certainly shared part of the responsibility for the Rangers defensive collapse.
The offensive side of his game just hasn’t been there, with Miller recording just six points (two goals and four assists) through 28 games.
New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller (79) when the New York Rangers held their training camp Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY.
For such a strong skater, there hasn’t been much explosiveness in the way he transitions from zone to zone.
Miller has also been on the ice for more five-on-five goals than any other Rangers defenseman (27) while averaging the third-highest ice time among all skaters (21:21).
When he is at his best, according to head coach Peter Laviolette, Miller is defending first.
“Personally, I think this winter break, Christmas break, whatever you want to call it, is a great reset for everybody,” said Miller, who lined up alongside Will Borgen on Saturday. “I think everybody gets to go home, see their family, get a couple days off and away from the rink. Kind of rest their mind and body. Obviously, it’s a long season to start the year. These breaks mean everything when you get them.
“I think this could really be the turn to our season. Everybody’s rested. Everybody’s ready to go. Kind of a new mindset.”
