HC Rick Tocchet makes his thoughts clear about Canucks $56.00M forward's outing in loss to Habs 

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet spoke about J.T. Miller’s strong performance after their 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Miller scored two goals and added two assists in the game.

Miller, who is in the second year of a seven-year, $56,000,000 contract with Canucks, tied the game 1-1 in the first period with a snap shot assisted by Nils Hoglander and Quinn Hughes. In the second period, he scored on a backhand to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead, with Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tyler Myers assisting.

"Yeah, he's trying to do the right things,” Tocchet said. “He's had a tough start with training camp. A couple things were bothering him obviously, when he was out for about a month. He's starting to find his game [and] he played hell of a game for us tonight."

Miller discussed his two-way play and focused on the team’s consistency.

"I don't think the two way has been a huge problem. It's not like I'm stuck on my own all night. Personally, I just think that obviously the production has been a little tougher to come by as of late,” Miller said. “...It's nice to see a couple go in, but as a team, I think there just needs to be a little more consistency."

"I'm not worried about myself. I'm just worried about the team," he added.

J.T. Miller has recorded eight goals and 21 assists in 29 games this season, despite missing nearly a dozen games earlier. He has contributed 15 points in wins and 14 points in losses.

In the 2023-24 season, Miller reached a career-high 103 points, proving his offensive ability. Over his NHL career, he has scored 246 goals and 422 assists in 828 games.

Despite J.T. Miller's multipoint game, Canucks lost 5-4

The Canucks lost 5-4 in overtime to the Canadiens on Monday at Bell Centre.

Cole Caufield gave Montreal a 1-0 lead at 1:07 of the first period with a wrist shot from the slot. J.T. Miller tied it 1-1 at 10:47, scoring with a one-timer off Nils Hoglander’s pass.

Miller scored again at 3:21 of the second, flipping a backhand over Sam Montembeault to make it 2-1. Jonathan Lekkerimaki extended Vancouver’s lead to 3-1 just 20 seconds later. Kaiden Guhle brought Montreal within one.

Kirby Dach tied it 3-3 early in the third and Lane Hutson gave Montreal a 4-3 lead at 6:54 with a shot that deflected off Quinn Hughes’ skate. Jake DeBrusk tied the game 4-4 at 8:51, scoring a power-play goal. Captain Nick Suzuki scored the overtime winner on a power play.

Miller and Co. will look to bounce back when they face the Washington Capitals next at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.