Rangers’ K’Andre Miller ejected for spitting at veteran NHL defenseman Drew Doughty in win over Kings

New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller was ejected from Sunday night’s crippled against nan Los Angeles Kings aft he spit connected seasoned NHL defenseman Drew Doughty precocious successful nan first period. 

Miller, 23, was awarded a lucifer punishment and automatically ejected from nan crippled aft he was caught connected video spitting astatine Doughty pursuing a insignificant scrum that collapsed retired down nan nett aft nan whistle. 

K'Andre Miller, #79 of nan New York Rangers, is ejected shape nan crippled aft being called for a awesome punishment successful nan first play against nan Los Angeles Kings astatine Madison Square Garden connected Feb. 26, 2023 successful New York City.  (Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Doughty, who is playing his 15th play successful the NHL, said aft nan crippled that he was shocked and could not callback ever seeing thing for illustration that happening before. 

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"I was conscionable shocked obviously," he said. "I don’t moreover cognize if I said thing to him after. You don’t want to spot things for illustration that successful this game. I don’t cognize if I’ve ever seen that. I’m judge it has happened, not that I’ve seen. It’s unfortunate."

Drew Doughty, #8 of nan Los Angeles Kings, argues pinch referee Eric Furlatt, #27, for a punishment to beryllium called connected K'Andre Miller, #79 of nan New York Rangers, during nan first play astatine Madison Square Garden connected Feb. 26, 2023 successful New York City.  (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

"Whether aliases not he meant to do it, I person nary idea. It’s beautiful large loogie connected my face, truthful I was beautiful (miffed)."

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According to aggregate reports, Miller reached retired to Doughty aft nan crippled and explained that it was accidental.

"The kid feels bad astir it," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant added aft nan game. "He said it was an accident."

K'Andre Miller, #79 of nan New York Rangers, skates pinch nan puck against nan Los Angeles Kings astatine Madison Square Garden connected Feb. 26, 2023 successful New York City.  (Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

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According to nan New York Post, Miller could look further suspension by nan convention arsenic each lucifer penalties are reviewed by nan commissioner. Garnet Hathaway, who was precocious traded to nan Boston Bruins, was suspended 3 games successful 2019 for intentionally spitting connected Erik Gudbranson during a fight. 

Despite nan incident, nan Rangers avoided a five-game skid pinch a 5-2 triumph complete the Kings. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.