Colin Miller keeps plugging away for Golden Knights, has big goal in win against Calgary

By Justin Emerson

Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 | 7:10 p.m.

Colin Miller didn’t wait long into the third period tonight to score the Golden Knights’ second goal. He’s done enough waiting, after all.

He waited 23 games into the season to get his first of the goal, which came at the 2:34 mark of the third period to give Vegas some breathing room in a 2-0 win against the visiting Calgary Flames. It was the longest streak without a goal in Miller’s four-year NHL career.

“He’s got such a great shot, always a threat out there,” Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. “It was probably a matter of time before it would come, but I’m sure he’s relieved it finally went in and he doesn’t have to think about that first one anymore.”

To his credit, Miller didn’t seem to care all that much.

“It’s, I mean, whatever. It’s great maybe for a little bit of confidence,” Miller said. “Honestly, we want to be contributing as a (defensive) corps, all of us from the back end. If we can all help collectively, then it’s good.”

Whether it mattered to him or not, getting Miller going is important for the Golden Knights. Miller had 10 goals and 41 points last season — most among Vegas defensemen — with five goals and 12 assists coming on the power play. This season, after signing a four-year, $15.5 million extension in July, he had no goals and nine assists coming into Friday’s game, and was one of five regulars (all defensemen) without a goal.

His goal was just the way Vegas would have drawn it up for him. Forward Reilly Smith brought the puck below the left faceoff circle on the power play, leaving Miller with space at the point. He collected Smith’s pass, wound up and blasted it untouched through a screen.

“One was bound to go in, I was just lucky to be part of it,” said forward Alex Tuch, who was stationed in front of the net. “Hopefully the flood gates start opening up because he’s got one of the hardest shots in the league.”

Miller insisted he was less worried about scoring than he was about playing strong in his own end. He conceded before Friday’s game that because of the team’s struggles, compounded with Nate Schmidt’s suspension, he may have been pressing a little.

He said he didn’t care that he scored Friday. But everyone else on the team was quite pleased to get Miller going.

“He’s hit about seven goal posts this year, so definitely good for his confidence and good for our team,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “We like the game that he played, but we like it when he’s getting a few points and goals, too.”

The win was the Golden Knights’ third in their last four games, as the reigning Western Conference champions are starting to resemble last season’s winning ways. Like Miller, it was a matter of time until the waiting game ended.