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) – It turned out to be a minor footnote in the Rangers second round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the team dispatched the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, center Filip Chytil returned to the ice, after suffering a concussion back in November.
Unfortunately, it was short lived, as Chytil suffered a new, upper-body injury – and quickly exited.
By 7:30 Wednesday night we could know if Chytil will be active for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Final with the Florida Panthers. That’s when the Blue Shirts will be warming up on the MSG ice.
During Monday’s practice Chytil skated as a full participant. He played on the third line alongside Kaapa Kakko and Alex Wennberg, per the New York Post. Chytil also played with the second power-play unit.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette was asked about Chytil’s availability. He noted that “for anybody that comes into the lineup, we’ve gotta do our job. If you’re a defensive physical player, you gotta bring that to the table. If you’re a guy that creates, you gotta come in and create. If you’re a great defender, come in and defend.”
Laviolette also noted the injured center “had another good practice today, I thought Fil looked good. Had a good practice, so that’s a positive for us.”
Over the weekend, Chytil indicated to reporters he wants to play in the series against Florida.
Chytil suffered what’s believed to have been the fourth documented concussion of his career back in November.
