The Rangers got some much-needed good news Monday morning before the evening’s bad news.

After missing Game 4 due to what the team termed an “illness,” Filip Chytil participated in the Blueshirts’ morning skate ahead of their Game 5 loss to the Hurricanes.

“He practiced this morning,” Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said before the 4-1 defeat. “That’s a real positive thing for our team. I’m going to keep any lineup decisions that I make to myself.”

Chytil, who was sidelined for over six months with a suspected concussion before making his return in Game 3 on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C., could not get back on the ice two mornings later. Laviolette was tight-lipped about Chytil’s status, calling him a game-time decision, but the 24-year-old ultimately didn’t dress.

Having Chytil back on the ice Monday morning was encouraging, but no further update was provided. The Czech was not made available to the media in the dressing room.

Given Chytil’s injury history, and the fact that he missed time this year due to what is believed to be his fourth documented concussion, that is a red flag.

Blake Wheeler was also a full-contact participant for the first time Monday morning, having worn a red no-contact jersey prior.

If you thought you needed an actual satellite dish to watch satellite TV… think again! You can stream DIRECTV completely satellite-free for as low as $85/month with specialty sports channels like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network & more Regional Sports Networks.

Score 20+ sports networks including MLB Network and MLB Strike Zone… that’s over a $100 value! Right now, new customers will get $100 back when they sign up.

Neither Wheeler nor Chytil participated in top-nine line rushes, while Jonny Brodzinski continued to skate on the fourth unit and Alex Wennberg centered Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko.

The 6-foot-5 Wheeler took reps alongside the 6-foot-8 ½ Matt Rempe and the 6-foot-7 Adam Edstrom.

Entering Game 5 on Monday, the Rangers had scored power-play goals in five of their last seven games, as well as multiple power-play goals in four of eight playoff games this year.

The Blueshirts’ 10 power-play goals rank second in the NHL behind Edmonton’s 13.

The Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday with a 2-1 overtime win over the Providence Bruins.

Jake Leschyshyn was credited with both the Wolf Pack’s goals in the victory, including the OT winner.

They will now take on the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate, in a best-of-five series. It begins on Thursday at Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.