Ryan Miller Looks to Extend Hot "Streak"

by Terry V on Feb 8, 2012 2:44 PM EST

It's no secret Ryan Miller has been struggling this season. At this point of the season he has the worst save percentage (.905) and GAA (2.88) of his career since taking over as the go to goalie for the Sabres. Miller is currently ranked 38th in goals against and 36th in save percentage, far from his normal position towards the top of the list.

Many blame it on his injury during the infamous Boston game back in November but even his pre-injury numbers were far from stellar compared to previous years with a save percentage of .896, even worse than his current season total (the horrible showing in Philly netting him a .727 SV% is the main cause of that). Almost 3 months post injury Miller seems to be turning things around as both him and Sabres are winning games, taking 7 of 8 possible points in the last 4 games.

Now, 4 games isn't exactly enough data to gauge a player however there haven't been many positives this season so I'll take them where I can get them. Since the game in NJ on January 24th, Miller's save percentage in those 4 games is .962 and his GAA is an impressive 1.25. If his season stats mirrored those he would be sitting at the top of the league in both columns (again, an unfair comparison but we're reaching for positives here).

Stats aside, Miller does seem to be playing better. The goals he has let in during his hot streak have been quality compared to the trash he would let in on occasion before. He seems more confident in the net and we haven't had to listen to him "vent" to the media as of late. All this is hopefully pointing towards a return to the Miller of old.

Perhaps Miller was playing injured and still not 100% after the Lucic hit (or from something else) and is finally getting healthy. A week off with the all-star break may have helped that along. The other possible explanation is that he's getting more help from his defense now that the majority of the team, especially the defense, is healthy. Only time will tell if Miller can back these recent numbers up and keep the Sabres winning. Unfortunately scoring hasn't also improved so it looks as if Miller is going to have to be lights out in order to get this team back into playoff contention.

Tonight serves as quiet the test for Miller as he faces the team that might have caused all this in the Boston Bruins. I'm sure it's on Miller's mind so let's hope he turns that into motivation and the team gets another much needed win.

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I hope this is Miller progressing to his Career Mean

If so, we should see some solid play out of him for the rest of the season (which is vital if we are really going to make a run at the playoffs). On the other hand, his good play will surely make us ‘Fail’ to get Nail or Mikhail.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Feb 8, 2012 3:17 PM EST reply actions

Miller

has always seemed like an intutitive, thoughtful, intellectual type. It seems to me psychology has a much bigger effect on his performance than his physical readiness, meaning, playing when his head ain’t right is more detrimental to his game than playing through injury. He just got married, all the pressure on the team after T-Pegs took over and all media scrutiny after the Lucic ordeal and their abysmal play. I think its been much harder for him to focus and get in “the zone” or flow as the scientists like to call it. For some reason the team seems like they’ve found the right chemistry/motivation after the break and Miller’s head seems to be in a better more focused place.

by Ramrob on Feb 8, 2012 5:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Two concussions in a year will have an effect on you concentration.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 8, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I think the concussion seems more likely

Can we stop talking about the marriage? Athletes tie the knot all the time.

I think the Lucic hit might have had a lot more to do with it. Looking at recent stats, the stats after he came back from the Lucic hit, and the stats from the beginning of the season… I really wonder how much the hit might have messed with his head/game. Quite literally. Lack of concentration, focus, reflexes… who knows. I’ve never had a concussion, but i wonder if there was enough lingering side effects to turn Miller from a top 10 NHL goalie into an AHL-quality goalie for a couple months. I just hope top-10-Miller form is here to stay.

by kallinan on Feb 8, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Miller is the Man

Without Miller the Sabres have a minimal chance of beating any team. They can’t score goals so Miller has to stop almost every shot on goal. Miller came back after the Boston massacre but was not fully recovered from his consussion. Pucks got into the net that never would have made it when Miller was at the top of his game as he was earlier in the season. The Enroth experiment failed miserably and Miller ended up playing at less than 100%, because with Enroth in the net, a loss is almost guaranteed. If the highest paid offense in the NHL had been able to score more than one or two goals a game, they would have won at least 15 more games between December and January. Instead, they continued to miss open nets and play with no enthusiasm. They gave up on themselves, their coach and their fans. That is why we, the fans, can look forward to long post season break while the players practice their golf swings.

by Geolover on Feb 8, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs