The Rangers skated Friday afternoon, preparing for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, and once again were without Rick Nash.
The left leg bone bruise that has kept him out since Jan. 22 continues to be an issue and coach Alain Vigneault admitted predicting Nash’s return would amount to little more than a guessing game.
But as much as the Blueshirts miss Nash, his absence would be significantly more painful without J.T. Miller’s resurgence.
OK, maybe “resurgence” isn’t the right word, since the 22-year-old former first-round pick has done little more than agitate Vigneault in his time in the NHL.
Recently, though, Miller has begun to deliver on the potential the Rangers believed he had when they made him the 15th overall pick.
His hot streak continued in Thursday’s win over Minnesota at The Garden, when Miller scored his eighth goal in as many games — a stark contrast from the eight goals in his first 43 games this season. Or the 10 he had a year ago in 58 games.
Miller conceded he didn’t know how to describe the turnaround.
“To see the puck go in like this, it’s really something I haven’t experienced yet as a pro,” Miller said. “My confidence is definitely building.’’
Miller also is doing what he can to maintain the success without altering the nature of his game.
“I’m not going into games trying to score,” Miller said. “If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll try to bury it.”
However the change has been made, Vigneault will take it.
Never one to shy away from criticizing Miller, the head coach was complimentary on Friday.
“J.T. has been one of or top players here at both ends of the rink with his competitiveness without the puck, not just in the offensive zone on the forecheck,” Vigneault said. “He’s been working hard to come back on our end.”
Vigneault also made a point of praising Miller’s work ethic — in his own way.
Noting that practice doesn’t typically start until noon, Vigneault said Miller is often on the ice by 10:30, working on his game with the skill coaches.
“He’s always there,” Vigneault said. “Guys figure out what they need to do, and he’s slowly but surely doing that.”
As for Nash, he won’t travel with the team to Philadelphia and instead will get treatment at the Rangers’ facility in Tarrytown. And depending on how his knee responds, Nash could skate on his own.
Nevertheless, the injury is taking longer than hoped to heal.
“He didn’t see any signs of improvement in that bone bruise and is still feeling it,” Vigneault said. “Our guys felt it was best to stay off it. … Hopefully in the next three or four days, that pain goes away. With those bone bruises you never know.”
Fortunately for the Rangers, Miller has picked up some of the scoring slack.
“I don’t know what to make of it,” Miller said.
“Even in the minors, I had more assists than goals. I’m not sure what’s different, but I’m not going to go away from my strengths to go find goals. … I’m just shooting pucks when I get the chance and they’re finding holes right now. I’m going to ride it out .”