What’s Wrong With K’Andre Miller?

K’Andre Miller of the New York Rangers plays his cards close to the vest. He’s not overly animated during games, doesn’t make a big splash in interviews, and generally keeps a low public profile. That muddles the picture when his game appears to be off, as it has been recently. He is still capable of jaw-dropping defensive plays, including one against Sharks forward (and former Ranger) Anthony Duclair on January 23rd.

Miller looked out of position on the play, making a hard cut backward towards the net, while Duclair looked like he had a clear path to the goal mouth. Miller sprung forward at just the right moment, took advantage of his long reach, and knocked the puck harmlessly to the corner. He made it look easy like he often does.

But there have been some mysterious misplays this season, too. Giveaways at the blue line, poor decisions with the puck in his own end, and a tentativeness with the puck on his stick that hasn’t been there in the past. In the Rangers’ last game before the all-star break on Saturday in Ottawa, Miller seemingly handed the Senators’ Claude Giroux the puck, which he dropped to Brady Tkachuk to score the first goal. On the second goal, Chychrun was not his man, but he was caught in no man’s land, regardless. Both plays are endemic of Miller’s game of late.