Regardless of plot lines and priorities as the Vancouver Canucks faced the Edmonton Oilers in a pre-season test Monday night — will centres Aatu Raty and Max Sasson make most of another look, will there be a better box-out at both ends of the ice, and how will goalie Kevin Lankinen perform? — only one question needed to be answered.
And it wasn’t how to contain Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It was the status of Miller.
For the record, the Canucks had a glorious chance to score in overtime Monday as Daniel Sprong pivoted high in the slot, but was denied by a Draisaitl tripping minor with 26.3 seconds remaining. Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson then connected in the shootout to seal the 3-2 win as Jonathan Lekkerimaki hit the post and Sprong was denied.
Arshdeep Bains and Nate Smith struck for the Canucks in regulation while Corey Perry and Ben Gleason scored for the Oilers. The Canucks also kept Brock Boeser, Danton Heinen, Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson, Conor Garland, Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Carson Soucy and Tyler Myers at home, so their effort Monday was impressive.
Now, back to Miller.
The NHL’s ninth-ranked point producer last season has yet to play a pre-season game and only one remains Friday before the Canucks start playing for keeps on Oct. 9. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said his star centre, who piled up a career-high 103 points (37-66) and nine game-winners in 2023-24 will suit up Friday in the pre-season finale against the Oilers at Rogers Arena.