OTTAWA — J.T. Miller pointed to the 200-foot commitment in the defensive zone, physicality in one-on-one battles and variety of offense as the most notable improvements he’s noticed in the Rangers to start the 2026-27 season. 

It’s been encouraging for the team captain to see, but the Rangers still are ironing out certain aspects that have led to leaving some points on the table early in this 84-game campaign. 

The 33-year-old Miller and his line with Tye Kartye and Pavel Dorofeyev feel like a sort of microcosm for how the Blueshirts have performed overall. With effective spurts that haven’t always been enough to demand results, the second line hopes that staying the course will pay off. 

As a key skater coming off a down season riddled with injuries, however, Miller said he’s liked his game so far.