Rangers and Quick Shut Out Canucks in JT Miller’s return to Vancouver – The Hockey Writers New York Rangers Latest news, analysis and more

The Vancouver Canucks welcomed JT Miller back to Rogers Arena on Tuesday for the first time since he was traded to the New York Rangers last season. He had previously faced his former team at Madison Square Garden shortly after the trade, but this was his first trip to Vancouver as a visitor in a long time. He left the Canucks as one of their most productive players, finishing with 152 goals and 437 points in 404 games. His last game at Rogers Arena was on January 25, 2025, and his last goal in Vancouver was on November 16, 2024, when he scored against the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the end, it wasn’t Miller who defeated the Canucks, but Mika Zibanejad and old thorn in their side Jonathan Quick, with the former scoring the game-winner late in the former and the latter stopping 23 shots for his 64th career shutout and sixth against the Canucks. Sam Carrick added an empty netter to seal it, and the Rangers defeated the Canucks 2-0. Here is your game overview.

Summary of the game

After some back-and-forth hockey, the Rangers began to take control of the game on their first power play, with Thatcher Demko making two highlight-reel saves. They didn’t score on that man advantage, but kept the momentum going at 5-on-5 and eventually opened the scoring with Zibanejad’s fourth of the season. The period ended with Rangers leading 1-0 and a power play after Marcus Pettersson took a penalty that was stuck on a fighting Major for standing up for Conor Garland after a hard hit from Carrick.

There was no scoring in the second period, with the Canucks unable to generate much off of Rangers backup Jonathan Quick despite a power play. They were credited with seven shots, but only three scoring chances (zero major hazard) to the Rangers’ 12 (six major hazard). Thanks to Demko, the Canucks were still down just 1-0 heading into the third.

The Canucks had a few more chances to tie the score in the third period, but were stymied by Quick and some unfortunate bounces in front of the net. They also tried to do it without their top scorer, Conor Garland, who did not return for the final period. They defeated the Rangers 12-7, but couldn’t find the equalizer and ultimately lost 2-0 for their sixth loss of the season, dropping their sub-.500 record to 5-6-0. The Rangers, meanwhile, bounced back from their 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames to improve to 4-5-2.

Goaltending and special teams

Quick stopped all 23 shots he faced, while Demko countered with another solid game, allowing just one goal on 24 shots. Neither team was successful on the power play, with both going 0-for-3.

What’s next?

The Canucks hit the road again for a quick three-game road trip, starting Thursday with a trip to St. Louis to take on the Blues for the second time this month. The Rangers, meanwhile, will travel to Alberta to take on the Oilers, also on Thursday.