RALEIGH, N.C. — Captain J.T. Miller missed his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury Monday night, when the Rangers lost to the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime at Lenovo Center.
According to head coach Mike Sullivan, however, the Blueshirts are expecting Miller to join the team at some point as the road trip continues in Washington and then Miami for the 2026 Winter Classic.
Miller, who currently is on injured reserve, was classified as week-to-week after he absorbed an open-ice check from the Flyers’ Nick Seeler on Dec. 20. The 32-year-old exited that game in the third period and did not return.
Sunday, Sullivan said Miller skated on his own before team practice.
Defenseman Adam Fox was sidelined for a 14th consecutive contest with a left shoulder injury he suffered in the 4-1 loss to the Lightning at the end of last month.
Participating in the optional morning skate Monday, Fox no longer is wearing a red noncontact jersey.
As of Saturday, Fox is eligible to be activated off long-term injured reserve any time now.
Additionally, Sam Carrick skated in his usual post on the fourth line Monday night after missing the most recent practice due to illness. A flu-like sickness continues to make its way through the locker room.
Artemi Panarin, Matt Rempe, Gabe Perreault and assistant coach David Quinn all had fallen victim to the same illness as well.
After a run of five games, Brennan Othmann served as a healthy scratch Monday night.
Conor Sheary drew back into the lineup for the first time since Dec. 21.
With men’s ice hockey rosters for the 2026 Olympic Games due Wednesday, Sullivan said conversations will be had among Team USA management in the coming days.
Fox and Miller are both in the running to make it but have not been able to compete lately due to injuries.
“I think there’s a process that’s put in place to account for those types of circumstances,” Sullivan said when asked how their injuries would impact their chances. “In the event that players get injured along the way, there is opportunity to add players to the roster, and that’s all taken into consideration when these types of decisions are made. … I think when you look at a lot of these players, there’s a significant body of work that these guys have built over the course of the last handful of years, and most recently, and all of those things are taken into consideration.”
The Rangers appeared in their 12th overtime of the season Monday night.
In their past 14 games, the Rangers have needed more than 60 minutes to decide a contest seven times. They currently own a 7-5 record in overtimes and shootouts.
