J.T. Miller makes immediate impact in Rangers return with two goals

J.T. Miller’s first game back with the Rangers looked a lot like his last.

The newly re-acquired forward blasted in a goal in the first period and later one in the third in the Rangers’ 6-3 loss to the Bruins on Saturday in Boston.

With the puck in deep in the Rangers’ offensive zone after a Bruins goal, Artemi Panarin forced a turnover along the nearside wall.

The puck sprung toward the center of the slot, right where Miller was standing.

The 31-year-old wound up for a shot that beat goaltender Jeremy Swayman glove side, knotting things up a 1-1 just 34 seconds after Boston grabbed the early lead.

It marked Miller’s first goal in a Rangers uniform since Feb. 25, 2018, his last game with New York before he was traded to the Lightning the next day.

Miller then added his second goal of the proceedings when he deflected a shot in during the opening minutes of the third period.

Before the game, Rangers GM Chris Drury spoke about how Miller should help not only impact the team in the short run but also in the coming years.

“[He] brings a unique combination of skill, size and physicality to our team, and not just helps us here in the short term but will be a key part of our core moving forward,” he said.

Less than a full game into his second Rangers stint, that presence was already felt in a big way.