Feb 6, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (72) during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
(New York, NY) – The waning moments of the regular season are not typically a time when NHL teams make upgrades.
Some final roster tweaks are to be expected, but getting a potential game changer into the fray ahead of a run at Lord Stanley’s Cup is uncommon.
That said, for the Rangers, it’s highly possible a 20+ goal scored from one year ago will be an option for head coach Peter Laviolette when the playoffs get underway in just eight days.
That’s because Filip Chytil is back at practice after missing a large chunk of the season with injury. Team reporters first noticed practice equipment in Chytil’s locker on Thursday, and the Czech center was out skating with the team one day later.
Rangers reporter Vince Mercogliano says Chytil is a “full go, with no non-contact jersey. Word from a source is that he’s been medically cleared… (but the Rangers) are obviously prioritizing Chytil’s health given everything he’s been through, but I’m also hearing the playoffs aren’t out of the question if all goes well.”
And so the rich get richer – at least potentially. Las Vegas oddsmakers list the Rangers among the Eastern Conference favorites to get to the Stanley Cup Finals – along with the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Boston Bruins. New York is seeking its first Stanley Cup Championship since 1994.
