New York Rangers’ K’Andre Miller insists SPIT on LA Kings’ Drew Doughty was ‘completely accidental’

New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller will face an NHL hearing after he spat on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty in a game on Sunday night.

Early in the game – at the 16:37 mark of the first period – Miller was seen spitting at Doughty as the Kings’ skater moved towards him.

According to league rules, any spitting results in an automatic match penalty and ejection, which then gets reviewed by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Miller was sent off the ice and was kicked out of the game – one which the Rangers held on to win by a score of 5-2.

Miller directly addressed the incident on Twitter on Monday, saying he had no intention of spitting on Doughty. 

K’Andre Miller apologized for spitting on Drew Doughty in an NHL game on Sunday night

New York Rangers defenseman Miller was ejected for spitting on LA Kings’ Doughty

Miller later said sorry to Doughty (above) saying that the incident was not intentional

‘I wanted to take a moment to address what occurred in last night’s game,’ Miller posted on Monday afternoon.

‘I have all the respect in the world for Drew Doughty and what happened was completely accidental. I would never intend to do something like that on purpose, it goes against everything I am as a person and player.

‘I felt awful about it and I am thankful Drew gave me the opportunity to apologize and explain myself in person after the game.’ 

It’s not clear if Miller will receive further suspensions, though they have been instituted in the past.

Garnet Hathaway was suspended for three games when he was a member of the Washington Capitals for spitting on then-Anaheim Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson.

Miller has six goals and 24 assists for 30 points in 60 games so far this season for a Rangers team sitting third in the Metropolitan Division. 

At the time he was sent off, the Rangers were already up 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alexis Lafreniere. 

Two goals from Vincent Trocheck and individual scores from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad further compounded the lead. 

Miller could face additional discipline by the league at a hearing scheduled for this week