After signing a two-year extension over the offseason, Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller is in the midst of a terrific campaign on both ends of the ice.
The youngster has seven goals and two assists through 32 games while serving as a reliable and physical presence alongside captain Jacob Trouba on New York’s second defensive pairing.
It certainly has been a great start to his campaign, but if you ask him, he hasn’t been good enough.
“Honestly I don’t think I’ve been playing my best hockey,” Miller told Larry Brooks of the NY Post. “I need to simplify my game. Maybe I’m trying to create too much or trying to do too much with the puck, that’s where the game can slip away from me at times.
“I came out of the break with some goals, just to be playing better hockey. Just wanted to come back with a little bit better mindset and do a little more for the team.”
The 23-year-old certainly stepped up in a big way Wednesday night at the Garden, helping carry New York to a commanding 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals in their first game back from a three-day holiday break.
Miller found the scorer's sheet three different times for the first time since March, recording two goals and an assist. More importantly, he stepped up and played big minutes when Trouba was forced to leave with an upper-body injury just minutes into the second period.
“It was huge,” he said. “I just kind of found my game and got into a groove out there. Trouba’s has been huge for us doing all the little things all year. When he went down it just showed our depth and how many guys we can call leaders on this team.
“There’s going to be times throughout the year when guys do down, so I think just being prepared for whatever’s thrown at you, just trying to do whatever you can to gain that confidence with whoever you’re out there with.”
Though Miller has been disappointed with his campaign thus far, he’s certainly caught the attention of his new head coach, Peter Laviolette. But Laviolette also feels the youngster has another leap in him.
“The start to his season has been good, but I always think there’s another level for young players like him,” Laviolette said. “He’s continuing to get better and continuing to push. You want to see young guys like him keep climbing with responsibility and his game.”
Wednesday’s breakout performance was certainly a good start for Miller and he’ll look to build off that Friday night against the Florida Panthers.