The Rangers placed defenseman K’Andre Miller on injured reserve

K’Andre Miller faces a break from the ice as the Rangers place the defenseman on IR with an upper-body injury.

Miller appeared to have suffered the injury during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabers as he was not on the bench in the third period. The move was first reported by Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA TODAY.

The move will keep the 24-year-old out until Dec. 18 and likely miss the next four games for the Blueshirts, as Miller will not travel for an upcoming road trip to Nashville and Dallas, according to Mercogliano.

It was up and down for Miller, his fifth election campaign in New York. In 28 games, he has six points (two goals, four assists) and is minus-5 while averaging 21:21 minutes of ice time per game. This would be the first time in his career that he received a negative rating. What’s concerning is that he’s already racked up 34 giveaways this year, matching his tally in 80 games a season earlier.

In his place Connor Mackey will be the Rangers’ sixth defenseman. He has played in a single game this year, his first in New York, and has an ice time of 16:27. Mackey, 28, has appeared in 40 NHL games and began his career in Calgary before moving to Arizona last March.

Urho Vaakanainenacquired in the Jacob Trouba Traded last week, remains on IR with an upper body issue.