Filip Chytil is feeling better and could be a ‘option’ for the Rangers in Game 5.
There could be some encouraging news about the health of New York Rangers player Filip Chytil.
According to Dan Rosen of NHL.com, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette stated that Chytil is “feeling better and hopes to be an option in Game 5” of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
Chytil was withdrawn from Game 4 in Raleigh on Saturday due to an illness. That was alarming news given that the 24-year-old had been out of action for six months due to an upper-body injury thought to be a concussion before returning to play in Thursday’s Game 3 overtime victory over the Hurricanes.
After practicing on Friday, Chytil did not participate in the morning skate on Saturday and was replaced in the lineup by Jonny Brodzinski for the 4-3 loss in Game 4.
“He felt great (Friday), so he went to the team meal,” Laviolette said Saturday. “Woke up this morning and didn’t feel well.”
Sunday’s practice will be canceled since the Blueshirts are heading home to New York. So, it won’t be known until Monday whether Chytil is feeling better and will be able to play in Game 5. The Rangers lead the best-of-7 series 3-1 and can win on Monday to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons.
Though the Rangers never verified that Chytil suffered a concussion against the Hurricanes on Nov. 2, it is commonly assumed because he did not play again in the regular season and experienced a relapse in January. He returned to practice four weeks ago and was back in the lineup on Thursday.
In Game 3, Chytil played left wing on a line alongside Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko, logging 12:02 of ice time, one shot on goal from a power rush to the net, five shot attempts, and one hit.
Chytil had six assists in ten regular-season games this season.
On Saturday, Brodzinski replaced Chytil in the lineup and played his first playoff game. He played 8:49, was on for one goal against, and set the screen for Barclay Goodrow’s deflection goal in the second period. Brodzinski skated on the fourth line alongside Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey. Will Cuylle returned to the third line with Chytil out and scored his first career goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Matt Rempe, who played the first six games of the postseason, has missed the last two.
The final bottom-six berth is now up for grabs in Game 5 at home. But as long as Chytil recovers from his illness, whether or not he plays is secondary to his overall health.
