After concussion, MSU's Ryan Miller is now a man of steel
Detroit — Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller won’t take any chances with his health Monday night against the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
The East Lansing native and former Hobey Baker Award winner at Michigan State is expected to start in the 7:30 p.m. matchup and wear a steel mask on his helmet to help prevent further hits to his head.
Miller switched from a titanium mask to a steel version last month once he returned to the Sabres lineup. He suffered a concussion Nov. 12 on a violent hit from Bruins forward Milan Lucic in a 6-2 Sabres loss.
“I’ve been trying to evolve with the way I think about things — my helmet especially,” said Miller after participating in Monday’s morning skate at Joe Louis Arena. “I’m trying to take some cues on the more modern helmets guys are wearing.”
Miller said the heavier steel mask absorbs the impact of a flying puck better than a titanium one. He also will stick with a helmet lined with harder protective foam, compared to a lighter one he used before the concussion.
Monday marks a Miller reunion in Detroit, the first of its kind in more than two years. Red Wings left wing Drew Miller is Ryan Miller’s brother and is also expected to play in the game.
Drew was scratched from a game against the Sabres last season, and Ryan suffered a concussion just before the Sabres hosted the Red Wings on Dec. 2.
Drew Miller told reporters he expects his brother to start for Buffalo and expressed confidence in Ryan’s ability to rebound from his health setback and struggles in net.
Ryan Miller, with a career mark of 232-138-44, is an uncharacteristic 11-12 this season with a goals-against average of 2.97 and save percentage of .903.
“I think he expects more of himself,” Drew said of 31-year-old Ryan. “I think he’s proving himself every day and coming back. A lot of people are looking down on him like he’s playing bad, but I don’t necessarily think he’s playing bad.”
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