‘I don’t know’: Rangers’ J.T. Miller reacts to team’s struggles heading into Olympic break
It goes without saying that this season has not been kind to the team in Manhattan, but the New York Rangers seem to have no silver linings heading into a league-wide pause.
Following a 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, the team’s final game before the Olympic break, Rangers captain J.T. Miller was asked about the message to his teammates heading into the time off.
However, the on-ice leader for the Blueshirts seemed at a loss for words.
“I don’t know,” Miller said. “It hasn’t been good enough the last little while. Try to regroup, freshen up. … We just need to enjoy or take time – I literally don’t know. Come back with a better mindset, I guess.”
J.T. Miller on the message to the Rangers heading into the Olympic break: "I don't know. We just need to enjoy or take time - I literally don't know. Come back with a better mindset I guess"
The Rangers were outshot 42-16 on home ice, playing with no real vigor against the top team in the Metropolitan Division. The team has lost four straight games heading into the pause, and two of their past 14 contests. It isn’t just the fact that the Rangers are losing; it’s how badly they’re getting beaten. The team has allowed five or more goals six times, including the embarrassing 10-2 loss to the Boston Bruins back on Jan. 10.
The Blueshirts recognize that they’re no longer contenders, leading general manager Chris Drury to start selling off assets. The team has traded defenseman Carson Soucy to the rival New York Islanders, before sending sniper Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings earlier this week. With just a month before the NHL Trade Deadline, it doesn’t seem like Drury is done with the firesale quite yet.
Miller won’t have much time to rest. He and teammate Vincent Trochek are heading to Milan to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, while Mika Zibanejad will be playing for Sweden.
The Rangers (22-29-6) are the only team in the Eastern Conference to have a record below .500. They’re currently 19 points back of the Bruins for the last Wild Card spot. The Blueshirts will return to play on Feb. 26 against the Philadelphia Flyers.