New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller did not hold back after a frustrating 2-1 NHL loss at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers were playing the Ottawa Senators at home, and were heavily outshot with a difference of 33-9. Their goalie, Igor Shesterkin, played well, allowing just two goals with a .939 save percentage, but the loss was inevitable due to a lack of offense.
Speaking to the media, Miller called out the team’s effort and questioned his own impact as a leader.
“Quite simply, they just outcompeted us today from the puck drop,” Miller said. “Sometimes we talk about (how) you lose the game, and you can sleep at night. You feel good on the drive home. Tonight, it shouldn’t feel good.
“We have every reason to want to play better at home this year for how much we’ve struggled. Four shots through two periods. It’s Mika’s 1,000th game. You just look inward. What can I do? It’s not enough. I’m not doing enough to help my team right now as a leader.”
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Miller pointed to a lack of skating, poor puck battles, and weak execution.
“For us to not win puck battles and not skate, those things are inexcusable,” Miller said. “If you just have a rough night execution wise, you can get by. But we didn’t execute. We don’t skate. We were on the end of our stick.
“We knew exactly what the game was going to be. That’s a playoff-ready team. They have some unbelievable players and some guys that play a heavy game, and it was either we were going to match it, or we’re not. And we didn’t. I don’t think we had 10 shots in Mika’s 1,000th game night. These ones don’t sit well.”
New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) and center Mika Zibanejad (93). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Rangers finished with only nine shots, matching a franchise low and one of the worst totals in modern NHL history. Their lack of offense wasted a strong effort from goalie Shesterkin, who made 31 saves to keep the game close.
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Meanwhile, Ottawa secured its third straight win despite dealing with multiple injuries on defense.
J.T. Miller talked about playing for the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad
Miller stressed the team should have shown more urgency for Mika Zibanejad, who played his 1000th game. He is the Rangers’ leading scorer this season with 30 goals and 67 points. He called the poor offensive display unacceptable at home.
“Today you should have a fire lit under your [expletive] to go play for your teammate (Mika Zibanejad),” Miller said. “A guy that feels like a cornerstone of the organization. We go out and have 4 [shots] through 2 at home – a place where we haven’t been desperate enough this season.”
“Today you should have a fire lit under your ass to go play for your teammate (Mika Zibanejad). A guy that feels like a cornerstone of the organization. We go out and have 4 [shots] through 2 at home – a place where we haven’t been desperate enough this season”
– J.T. Miller pic.twitter.com/JCfqCum4k2
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 24, 2026
The loss marked another poor home showing in a difficult season, where they have gone 9-18-7 in their own arena. The Rangers have struggled for consistency and now face growing pressure with time running out.
They will try to respond quickly when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs next.
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