Ryan Miller Getting Hot At Just the Right Time
Ryan Miller has already impressed the Team USA hockey brass and has already been named to the USA Olympic team but he’s not stopping there as
Jan 12, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) leaves the ice after the Sabres
he looks to reclaim the starters job. The Olympics are quickly approaching and Miller seems to be hitting a hot streak at just the right time. Team USA will have a very difficult time not giving Miller the starting job in Sochi.
Right from the drop of the puck this season it’s been clear that Ryan Miller has been back on his game helping the Buffalo Sabres stay afloat in the NHL. Even though he couldn’t steal many games early on he still stood tall and he’s being rewarded for his strong play as he’s beginning to steal games like the old Ryan Miller.
Surprisingly enough Miller is not the guaranteed starter for Team USA at the 2014 Olympics but Miller is doing everything in his power to change that and edge out an injured Jonathan Quick. In his last 10 games Miller has had a save percentage of .950% which is the best of any 10 game stretch through his career.
Miller is just plain ridiculous. But Team USA is waiting for Quick to be the starter? That's a joke. #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) January 12, 2014
For once it appears ‘ole Harrington is correct, the USA has found it’s starter and his name is Mr. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres. Sure Jonathan Quick has a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe to his name but he has been injured for a large part of this season and Miller has the history of being an Olympian in 2010. Plus would Quick have been able to accomplish all he has on a team like the Buffalo Sabres? Probably not.
Despite playing behind the 30th ranked team in the league Miller has a very respectable .928 save percentage which ranks him 6th amongst netminders who have played at least 15 games while Quick is ranked 31st having played 20 games. Miller has also faced the second most shots through this season with over 1000 shots- that’s a lot of rubber.
Miller certainly seems to be getting hot at just the right time with less than a month until the puck drops for the Olympics, check out this save of the year candidate he made yesterday in gif form.
Not too shabby Mr. Miller, not too shabby at all.
Ryan Miller is arguably playing some of the best hockey in his career it’s just a shame it’s wasted on the 30th ranked team but hopefully team USA will put it to good use by using Miller between the pipes on route to a gold medal match with Canada- one can hope right?
Even Ryan Miller’s teammates know what they have between the pipes is special…
If you don't think Ryan Miller is the Best Goalie in the NHL you haven't seen enough Sabres games #unreal
— Zenon Konopka (@ZenonKonopka) January 13, 2014
With the Olympics less than a month away Ryan Miller is getting hot at just the right time and soon he will be able to show the whole world the talent he’s been hiding down in Buffalo when it’s on full display at the Olympics. He may not win a Vezina for his play this season but he is certainly showing everyone he’s still got game.