Vincent Trocheck’s frustration boiled over in the second period of the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the Sabres on Thursday night at the Garden, but head coach Mike Sullivan supported the center after he picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
In the moments leading up to the Sabres’ second goal, Trocheck got tied up with Sabres center Josh Norris, grabbed his stick and chucked it toward the benches as play continued down the ice — seemingly wanting a penalty called.
But Bowen Byram dropped a pass to Alex Tuch from behind the net, Buffalo took a 2-0 lead and Trocheck was penalized following the sequence, putting the Blueshirts in a dangerous spot while already trailing by a pair of goals.
“We’d prefer him not to get a penalty,” Sullivan said, “but I think for me, when Troch is at his best, he’s in the middle of that stuff. He’s a fierce competitor, and he tends to draw the ire of opponents when he’s at his best. And I thought he did that tonight.”
Mika Zibanejad also became frustrated with the Rangers on the power play near the end of the second period, when they had a chance in front but the net became dislodged when a cluster of players kept swinging at the puck — trying to push it past Sabres goaltender Colton Ellis.
A goal would’ve allowed the Rangers to pull within 3-2 entering the final frame.
But even with their glimpses of frustration, Zibanejad and Trocheck accounted for the Blueshirts’ pair of goals, with Zibanejad snapping a one-timer past Ellis in the second period.
Trocheck’s tally ignited the Rangers at the start of the third period, though their bid for an equalizer ultimately fell short.
“We’re aware of the record at home,” Zibanejad said. “We’re aware of the struggles at home. … I’d be more worried if we don’t show any frustration honestly. If we’re not showing any emotion, then I’d be worried. I’d question it. But I don’t mind the frustration at times.”
The Rangers finally got captain J.T. Miller back in their lineup after he missed the previous seven games with an upper-body injury, but he admitted that he needs “to be careful” after suffering the same injury twice in about a month.
Miller missed the Blueshirts’ Nov. 22 and 24 games, and he was injured again Dec. 20 after absorbing a hit.
“Trying to get back as soon as I can,” Miller said of his rehab process. “Trying to be smart about it.”
Even while he tried to operate with caution, the Blueshirts immediately felt his presence.
Miller picked up where he left off with his production by picking up the primary assist on Trocheck’s goal 51 seconds into the third period.
He also collected three shots and two hits in 20:24 of ice time.
Sullivan is still stuck at 499 career wins after the Rangers’ latest loss. … Winger Alexis Lafrenière, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, was in the lineup Thursday but committed a brutal turnover that led to the Sabres’ insurance goal. … Center Noah Laba participated in the Rangers’ morning skate while wearing a red noncontact jersey. He remains week to week with an upper-body injury.
The Rangers held their latest centennial theme night, this time celebrating fan favorites. Nick Fotiu, Don Maloney, Jan Erixon, George McPhee, Pierre Larouche, Tony Granato, Chris Nilan, Tie Domi, Darren Langdon, Jeff Beukeboom, Colton Orr, Brandon Prust, Sean Avery, Ryan Callahan, Adam Graves and Henrik Lundqvist were all in attendance.
