The Canucks beat the Islanders on Long Island Sunday, but they lost goalie Ryan Miller to an injury. If it's serious, the Canucks' playoff chances may have take a serious blow.
Canucks lose goalie Ryan Miller to injury – but for how long?The Canucks are in a dogfight for a playoff berth, and are battling division rivals Calgary, San Jose and Los Angeles – as well as Winnipeg and the hard-charging Minnesota Wild – to make it back to the post-season after missing out in 2013-14. And although they beat the New York Islanders Sunday night, they lost star goalie Ryan Miller to an injury that may seriously impact the rest of his season – and the odds of Vancouver making the playoffs.
Miller was playing well for the visiting team in the second period when teammate Jannik Hansen barrelled into him and appeared to injure his right leg:
(GIF via Reddit user ajoy39)
The 34-year-old Miller left the game immediately and did not return; the team said he had a lower-body injury and was unlikely to play in Vancouver's next game Tuesday against the Bruins. Backup Eddie Lack stepped in to make 27 saves as he and Miller combined for a shutout victory over the Islanders, but given that the 27-year-old has just 61 career games of regular-season NHL experience and not a single appearance in an NHL playoff game, Canucks GM Jim Benning may need to look into a replacement for Miller if his injury proves problematic enough.