Getting up to speed
For the Rangers, speed is hardly about Point A to Point B.
When they talk about their team speed, and how it has increased dramatically this season, it is more about making quick decisions, moving the puck assertively, then finding those gaps in the defense because the opposition has had no time to set.
It helped that Michael Grabner had the legs to fly behind Anaheim defenseman Hampus Lindholm at a crucial time early in the third period of the Blueshirts’ 4-1 win over the Ducks on Tuesday night at the Garden. But what helped even more was the vision and play-making ability of J.T. Miller to thread a saucer pass across the ice to exploit that opportunity, finding Grabner on the backside for an open look that he buried, bardown, for his team-leading 24th goal of the season to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead.
“Before that I was just telling him that if I get a chance here, I’ll get my eyes up and just get going,” Miller said after the game. The Rangers got Wednesday off before attempting to stay perfect with the third game of this four-game homestand against the Western Conference on Thursday night against the Predators.
“I had a little bit of separation and I could just see his feet moving on the other side,” Miller said. “It happens a lot, really, through the game, when we have possession of the puck and he’s already going. That’s what makes him so good. He makes everyone around him look really good, but he’s the one making the play and he’s always moving his feet.”
Grabner is the most dramatic example of how the team has gotten physically faster, and when he added one into the empty net for his 25th of the season, it re-emphasized the fact he had already exceeded the expectations on his two-year deal signed this summer, carrying a $1.65 million annual salary-cap hit.
But his presence, and his newfound — or rediscovered? — ability to finish, has added a huge boost to his most consistent linemates: Miller and Kevin Hayes, both of whom are on pace for career seasons. Miller is leading the team with 42 points, which includes 16 goals. Hayes, who just returned from a five-game absence due to a presumed left-knee injury, is fifth with 36 points (13 goals).
When Grabner was asked if he just has gotten used to Miller finding him all over the ice, he let out that big Austrian smile.
“Pretty much, yeah,” he said. “Obviously he has great vision out there. It’s just easy for me to get open, try to use my speed and let them make the plays. They both can score goals, too, so you have to watch out for them.”
It hasn’t been the easiest road for Miller to get to this point, and coach Alain Vigneault continues to keep him on a short leash under the guise of him being “a young player going through the process.” It was only on Dec. 27 against the Senators when Miller was demoted to the fourth line. As a response, he has seven goals and 20 points in the 16 games since, going pointless just twice.
“I knew I could be better,” Miller said. “You have to go back and get a wake-up call. Coming into the locker room that morning, I knew something was going to happen. You can’t complain. It’s hard at that point, but you have to put your work boots on and go back to being simple. When that happens, things seem to open up and you get confidence and you get rolling.”
Despite having their full complement of forwards on Tuesday, the offense still didn’t look like the super-fast juggernaut it was early in the season. But with plays like those Miller is making, the Rangers have managed to win three in a row, they’re starting to find some stability at home, and they’re trying to rediscover what it means to play fast.
“Obviously it’s just good to get some wins at home,” Miller said, “and enjoy it.”