The Vancouver Canucks are not getting what they need from J.T. Miller right now.
The 31-year-old centre put in another weak performance in a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. It was the Canucks 15th loss in their last 21 games. It was also the third consecutive contest in which Miller played fewer than 15 minutes. The only other time that’s happened this season was during his benching before his leave of absence.
Despite playing so little, Miller still finished -2 against the Kings and had some bad mistakes. He allowed Kevin Fiala to walk right into the high slot, eventually leading to a Kings goal.
“He’s struggling. He’s caught in between, it seems like every time he’s on the ice, something bad happens,” said head coach Rick Tocchet about Miller.
“I think he’s got some bad luck but he’s [also] got to look at himself right now, focus on some of these reads. I mean you can’t dive in on the four-on-four.”
“I think he’s trying but sometimes I think the focus level has got to get a little higher.”
Please watch J.T. Miller on this play.#Canucks
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) January 17, 2025
When the Canucks went down 4-1, Miller and Tocchet shared a conversation on the bench. The star forward only played fewer than four minutes the rest of the night.
Sportsnet just showed the Rick Tocchet and J.T. Miller exchange on the #Canucks’ bench after the Kings’ 4th goal. pic.twitter.com/NxLwkrfhAi
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) January 17, 2025
It wasn’t just Miller who struggled against the Kings. The Canucks looked lifeless as a group and are seriously in danger of digging themselves a hole for the playoff race. There are several players carrying long goal droughts or who look overmatched every time they touch the ice.
“I can’t play two lines,” continued Tocchet. “I need some of these guys to step it up, even if they just play neutral, just as long as they don’t egregious mistakes.”
With the mighty Edmonton Oilers next on their schedule, the Canucks need to figure out their issues quick. They’re currently one point behind the Calgary Flames for the second Western Conference Wild Card spot.
“I’m an optimistic guy and I believe in our group. In saying that, it’s game 44 tonight, whatever that was, and we need to be figuring our stuff out, quickly,” said captain Quinn Hughes.