Miller unexpectedly gets debut in playoffs

Drew Miller’s expectations for playing time were reasonable when he was called up by the Ducks last week in the heart of a first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild.

“I thought I was going to come up and be a practice player,” Miller said.

The last thing Miller could have counted on happening was making his NHL debut in the playoffs, which he did in the Ducks’ series-clinching 4-1 Game 5 victory.

Playing only 2 minutes 15 seconds didn’t allow Miller much time to make an impact. It’s the impact on Miller at this point that’s more important.

“Oh, I was pretty nervous,” he said. “But the guys in the locker room really helped out a lot. They made me feel really welcome.”

The Ducks found themselves with an opening after winger Brad May was suspended for three playoff games for punching Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson in Game 4.

Enter Miller.

“A situation happened and an opportunity came up,” he said. “I tried to make the most of it. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to play again.”

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said he liked what he saw of Miller in training camp and got good reports from their minor-league team in Portland, Maine.

“We think that he’s a pretty smart hockey player,” Carlyle said. “He can skate, he’s responsible defensively.”

Because he didn’t expect to be in the Ducks’ lineup, Miller said he didn’t have much time to get the word out before Game 5.

The 23-year-old became the fifth family member to play in the NHL, joining cousins Kip, Kelly and Kevin along with older brother Ryan, who’s the starting goalie for the Buffalo Sabres.

“I called my brother, my parents, and a couple of buddies ... and let them know,” Drew said. “My brother watched the first period and a half before [stopping] because he had to play Game 5 the next day.”

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May said he did speak with Johnsson about the Game 4 incident but wouldn’t provide any details on the conversation, which took place Friday.

“It’s between the two of us,” May said. “He’s quite a gentleman and I understand and I respect his opinions or feelings. We had a conversation and I talked to him about how I felt and I heard his feelings as well.”

It’s believed that Johnsson, who didn’t play in Game 5 because of a head injury, wasn’t all that gentlemanly on the phone.

“[I’m] disappointed that stuff like that can happen,” he told reporters in Minnesota. “I feel that’s not the right way to do it. If he wants to fight, at least tell me so I can at least protect myself.”

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Center Samuel Pahlsson was the only player missing from practice and Carlyle said it was merely to give him a rest. Pahlsson, who has three assists in five playoff games, was doing some off-ice conditioning Sunday and was expected to return today.

“We felt that with the bumps and bruises that were in place, it was more of an advantage to have him rest and receive treatment,” Carlyle said.

Carlyle also said center Todd Marchant, out since March 31 because of a torn groin muscle, was expected to begin skating by the end of this week. There is no timetable for his return.

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