Getty Images Ryan Miller had a game to forget last night in Dallas. The Canucks’ starting netminder allowed five goals on 13 shots, before getting pulled early in the second period for backup Eddie Lack, as Vancouver went on to lose, 6-3.
Next up for the Canucks? A date Thursday in St. Louis against a Blues team to which Miller was traded in late February and with which he failed to perform well in the playoffs.
“He probably would like that game,” said Miller’s coach, Willie Desjardins (TSN 1040 audio). “I think that whenever you’ve been some place and it hasn’t worked out, you want the chance to come back and prove yourself.”
Desjardins wouldn’t confirm that Miller would indeed get the nod, but it would be a surprise if he didn’t. Vancouver also plays Friday in Colorado, a game that Lack could start.
It’s been a mixed bag of results for Miller so far in Vancouver. The good included a season-opening 4-2 win in Calgary, as well as a 28-save shutout in Edmonton. The not-so-good saw him allow four goals in a 5-4 shootout win over the Oilers (he wasn’t happy with a couple of the shots that beat him), and, of course, there was last night’s debacle in Dallas, a result that left Miller with an unenviable save percentage of .884.
The Blues, by the way, have been getting good goaltending from their tandem of Brian Elliott (1-2-1, .924 SV%) and Jake Allen (1-0-0, .960 SV%). It’s a lack of offense that’s been the issue for St. Louis (2-2-1), which has already been shut out twice this season.
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- hosewater2 - Oct 22, 2014 at 3:01 PM
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No, because they wouldn’t be the Canucks without the young backup outplaying the high priced star goalie.
So Lack will start and beat the Blues resulting in the same goalie controversy Vancouver has always known.
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- jhunter21 - Oct 22, 2014 at 6:48 PM
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There was one goalie controversy in the 40+ years of the Canucks. Not caused by the goalies, the players, or even the coaches. It was Mike Gillis, media, and trolls that create negative buzz for the sake of attracting readers, because they do not have the skill to keep people engaged with quality writing.
Don’t be a cog, think for yourself.
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- corpsman123 - Oct 22, 2014 at 3:04 PM
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You should probably sit him. His nob must be pretty sore…
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- ralphwilsonisrich - Oct 22, 2014 at 3:22 PM
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Sabres knew he was not deserving of the big paycheck anymore.
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- vancouversportsbro - Oct 22, 2014 at 3:42 PM
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Ugh. I really hope not. Lack needs a shot.
Miller playing against the team who he crapped the bed for in their home stadium has disaster written all over it. Not to mention St. Louis is coming off a loss.
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- jhunter21 - Oct 22, 2014 at 5:42 PM
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You want to start a goalie controversy, start Lack in St. Louis.
and for the record, there has been one goalie controversy in Vancouver in their 40+ years of existence.
Lack is entirely unproven, so bringing in a veteran was needed. Maybe it pans out, maybe it doesn’t. Also, it’s trolls and media that stirs up this unwarranted talks of controversy. Just saying…
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- vancouversportsbro - Oct 22, 2014 at 7:12 PM
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Schneider over Luongo…Lack over Luongo (which is why Luongo demanded a trade to Florida after the heritage classic debacle). If you look far enough back people even whined about wanting Hedberg to start over Dan Cloutier but Cloutier was Crow’s guy
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- eggserino - Oct 22, 2014 at 8:14 PM
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Miller’s quote about starting against St. Louis? “There are games, as a competitor, you want to play.” Guess those don’t include games in May/ June…
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