‘You need to hold the guys accountable and he’s one of the guys who does that. His way of playing is to lead by example and we need it from all of us. We are lucky to have him. ‘ – Canucks captain Bo Horvat on JT Miller.
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“If he can play, he will play.”
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It wasn’t exactly a rallying cry when Travis Green initially responded to JT Miller’s state of play on Sunday.
The Vancouver Canucks winger was hit Saturday during a second-period fold collision in Las Vegas. In the final period, he clocked just 2:23 with uniform strength. That he managed 4:46 of total ice time in that frame spoke of Miller’s willingness to play awkwardly during a 4-4 fight that turned into a 7-4 setback.
When Green clarified in his pregame speech Sunday that Miller was ready to play in Anaheim, it was another indication of how much the old-school veteran wants to make a difference. Of course, all of that comes with a lot of bravado and the occasional hit, F-bomb, and lively conversation on the bench.
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Miller is unapologetic about being cut from rough sports fabric because there are no soft edges to his game, and if he rubs someone the wrong way, too bad. As the Canucks struggle with a 5-8-2 record and a 2-6-1 slip before taking on the high-flying Ducks, being all-in and willing to play for each other and the coach is crucial.
Canucks captain Bo Horvat praised Miller for selling out every shift. He led the team-leading 17 points (7-10), including eight points (6-2) in a current seven-point streak, in Sunday’s test. Miller also had a team of 42 hits and 10 gifts that speak to his high-risk, high-reward stature.
“JT is going to do whatever it takes to win and we need guys like that,” Horvat said before the puck fell. “He is a big part of our team since he was here. He’s playing amazing again and we’re going to need him. “
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As for that loud and proud demeanor on or off the ice, Horvat has no problem with Miller.
“You have to hold the guys accountable and he’s one of the guys who does that and the way he plays is by leading by example and we need him from everyone,” Horvat added. “We are lucky to have it.”
The locker room is the sanctuary for players and coronavirus security restrictions continue to prevent nosy media from controlling body language and tone. Even Green picks his spots when he chooses to address his players or just watch to take their temperature.
“I think they really believe that they are doing a lot of good things,” Green emphasized. “They knew they didn’t play well in Colorado (Thursday) and coming out with a 2-0 lead on Saturday can make them feel good about certain parts of their game. They want to win a lot and it is important that we talk about that quickly after the game.
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Green often talks about the players he needs to win with, not just the scorers, but also the ones who do the dirty work to start shots or block shots, but does he have enough of them every night?
“I think so,” he said. “We haven’t gotten the job done with certain parts of our game, and obviously penalty death (last at 63.3 percent), and five or six pucks that we try to block and they go outside of us.
“We are not making excuses. Sometimes I find with our team that we need to get into areas where maybe we don’t push as much to cause turnovers. Playing with urgency is doing a little less and playing a little more direct with the puck. “
As for Horvat, he has to take the collective pulse of the room because he’s obviously running.
“There is some frustration,” Horvat admitted.
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“But at the same time, we have played a good year of hockey and the last couple have not lived up to our standard and we have to do something about it. Travis is putting systems in place and doing everything he needs to do, it’s just a matter of us going out and doing it.
MOTTE BACK IN THE FIGHT
If the Canucks need more motivation, they got it Sunday with the return of Tyler Motte after an offseason neck surgery.
“He’s a phenomenal penalty shootout killer and he brings a lot of energy,” Horvat said.
Last season, the fighter and speedy left-back led the club in hits with 100 despite playing just 24 of 56 games. He was a key cog in the first penalty shootout unit and added six goals as a fourth row accessory.
This season, he already leads the league with patience. Out-of-season surgery to correct a bulging disc in his neck from wear and tear hasn’t deterred him from returning as soon as possible. He practiced thoroughly for the first time on November 1 in methodical preparation until Sunday and to move past surgery.
“I play a physical game and it happens,” Motte reasoned. “He had a bulging disc in his neck.”
Reference-theprovince.com