{"id":521808,"date":"2026-03-25T10:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/521808\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:04:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:04:05","slug":"captain-j-t-miller-slams-inexcusable-effort-after-rangers-loss-at-msg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/521808\/","title":{"rendered":"Captain J.T. Miller slams ‘inexcusable’ effort after Rangers’ loss at MSG"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York Rangers<\/a> captain J.T. Miller did not hold back after a frustrating 2-1 NHL<\/a> loss at Madison Sq<\/a>u<\/a>are Garden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Rangers were playing the Ottawa Senators<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the media, Miller called out the team\u2019s effort and questioned his own impact as a leader.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite simply, they just outcompeted us today from the puck drop,\u201d Miller<\/a> said<\/a>. \u201cSometimes we talk about (how) you lose the game, and you can sleep at night. You feel good on the drive home. Tonight, it shouldn\u2019t feel good.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have every reason to want to play better at home this year for how much we\u2019ve struggled. Four shots through two periods. It\u2019s Mika\u2019s 1,000th game. You just look inward. What can I do? It\u2019s not enough. I\u2019m not doing enough to help my team right now as a leader.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE: Oilers\u2019 Connor McDavid addresses misinterpretation of coaching comments<\/a><\/p>\n

Miller pointed to a lack of skating, poor puck battles, and weak execution.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us to not win puck battles and not skate, those things are inexcusable,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIf you just have a rough night execution wise, you can get by. But we didn\u2019t execute. We don\u2019t skate. We were on the end of our stick. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew exactly what the game was going to be. That\u2019s 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\u2019re not. And we didn\u2019t. I don\u2019t think we had 10 shots in Mika\u2019s 1,000th game night. These ones don\u2019t sit well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NewNew York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) and center Mika Zibanejad (93). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

MORE: Maple Leafs make \u2019emergency\u2019 goalie move amid Anthony Stolarz puck accident<\/a><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ottawa secured its third straight win despite dealing with multiple injuries on defense.<\/p>\n

J.T. Miller talked about playing for the Rangers\u2019 Mika Zibanejad<\/p>\n

Miller stressed the team should have shown more urgency for Mika Zibanejad, who played his 1000th game. He is the Rangers\u2019 leading scorer this season with 30 goals and 67 points. He called the poor offensive display unacceptable at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday you should have a fire lit under your [expletive] to go play for your teammate (Mika Zibanejad),\u201d Miller said. \u201cA guy that feels like a cornerstone of the organization. We go out and have 4 [shots] through 2 at home \u2013 a place where we haven\u2019t been desperate enough this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

“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 \u2013 a place where we haven’t been desperate enough this season”<\/p>\n

\u2013 J.T. Miller pic.twitter.com\/JCfqCum4k2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

They will try to respond quickly when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> next.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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