Miller is tired — and talking like it
TIME FOR A REST: Canucks’ top netminder is 35 years old and, by his own admission, had a ‘tough week’ Jason Botchford
Ryan Miller’s road trip has been so long it needs its own table of contents.
When it began, he was cruising. His save percentage cresting at .923, he looked as good as ever had in a Canucks uniform.
But the NHL season can be wicked. He has now lost five in a row. His save percentage has dipped to .912. Sunday, that was good for 24th in the league.
After his latest loss in Toronto, his coach suggested he may tap backup Jacob Markstrom for Montreal Monday, and this is a pretty significant game, the latest ‘biggest of the season.’ You can understand why. Miller said it himself. “I’m having a tough week,” he admitted Saturday.
It began with Miller’s emotional, dissatisfying return to Buffalo. After the game, he unfortunately pointed out he wasn’t the only reason the Sabres scored three goals on 22 shots.
Whether you think it was a fine idea or not, it has done him no favours. It only served to intensify the scrutiny, something that’s never going to make his Christmas wish list.
As if that wasn’t enough, there was the goalie equipment issue and, Ray Ferraro or not, the fact Miller has become a main target for those out to usher in a new era of slimmed down net gear.
There was then the bad goal in Ottawa, which was a pretty big factor in another one-goal loss. Miller admitted after the game he “blew it.”
He did not look like someone brimming with confidence.
Compounding matters, this is a Canucks team that can’t catch a break. They haven’t helped themselves, but Saturday three borderline calls went against them.
One happened to be the goal on which the Leafs iced the game.
Miller was interfered with, without much question, and the rules are not supposed to weigh whether or not the goalie could have made a save.
If there’s interference and a goal is scored, it is not supposed to count — except it did Saturday, even after a coach’s challenge.
Finally, there was Miller’s incredulous postgame media session where he mentioned the league and his confusion about what it’s doing in a moment of disbelief because Toronto headquarters waved off a Jannik Hansen goal upon review.
The league determined Hansen kicked the puck in, even though he was trying to close his legs to prevent the puck from going though them.
“I don’t know what this league’s turning into,” Miller said.
Then, not one to miss a chance for a great quote this week, on the final question about the interference goal, Miller said he agreed with the NHL’s decision, and added:
“If we’re going to start calling every single time someone gets touched, why are we complaining about goalie equipment?
“They’re keeping the score down just fine.”
He smiled broadly and I’m sure if he had a mic, he would have dropped it before disappearing to do Ryan Miller things.
It’s exhausting just recounting his week; can’t imagine what it’s been like living it.
If anyone needed a few days off, it sure looks like Miller.
Because this is the reality: at 35 years old, Miller’s fatigue must be managed.
And, here’s the thing, the Canucks are totally aware a tired Miller is not the best Miller. It’s why they’ve dressed three goalies for practices at home.
That’s great for maintaining physical energy levels in the big picture, but this is a mental thing, too.
It’s always underestimated by people who shrug at goalies who play back-to-back games.
But there is no position in the game that requires more mentally from the player than goalie.
It’s why, at 35, Miller should never play backto-back games.
If the Canucks had a mulligan, they’d probably start Richard Bachman Monday.
That’s because if Miller is going to be the guy they ride all season — and he is — they need to take the opportunities when they can to let him catch his breath.