Since returning from his leave of absence, J.T. Miller has struggled to find his game, and after losing to the Ottawa Senators in overtime, head coach Rick Tocchet called out Miller by name in post-game comments.
Other than the drama that has took over the Vancouver Canucks in the past week, J.T. Miller found himself at the center of attention for a whole different reason.
It is one thing to be going though a slump offensively, but it is another to do it while also being a defensive liability in the games most crucial moments.
On multiple occasion through out the night, and in other games leading up to this one, Miller has cost the Canucks big time for lackluster defense.
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet calls-out J.T. Miller for bad defensive play
The boiling point for Rick Tocchet came to the surface in overtime against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Sens d-man Jake Sanderson managed to slip by while Miller lazily glided back and they netted the game-winning goal.
"That's Milsey's (Miller) guy. That's his guy. If he just stays back, I don't know if he got surprised. I mean, I told Boeser before to go out, I said, make sure you tell the guys to reload, because they're going to take off. Boom, you know, so he's got to be focused at all times." - Rick Tocchet
When Miller took the ice in overtime, he made the ultimate decsion of selfishness, and to not change when he should have, staying out there on tired legs.
This selfishness led to a turnover and the inability to backcheck sufficiently, leading to the game winning goal.