J.T. Miller’s hard work has thrust the Rangers’ 2011 first-round pick from the NHL’s fringe one year ago into the playoff series of his dreams — sort of.
Miller, 22, grew up in East Palestine, Ohio, cheering for Sidney Crosby. He crossed the border at the age of 15 every day after school to play for the Pittsburgh Hornets under-18 Midget major hockey program, hoping one day to play for the Penguins.
Thursday night, the promising lefthanded forward instead will proudly represent the Rangers in Game 1 of this first-round series at the Garden, but he also will cherish the “great opportunity” to take on Pittsburgh, an area he still calls home in the offseason.