PITTSBURGH — Filip Chytil was set to play in the Rangers’ matchup with the Penguins on Tuesday night despite missing a majority of the previous game, but the Czech center still took issue with the hit from Blackhawks forward Sam Lafferty that prompted his early exit in Chicago on Sunday. 

“I didn’t have the puck for maybe two seconds, that was I think a cheap hit,” Chytil told The Post after the Rangers’ morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. “I don’t know. Maybe somebody don’t agree with me, some do. But for me, that wasn’t a good play. I think there [should’ve] been a penalty.” 

The late and high hit from Lafferty occurred early in the second period, when Chytil made a pass behind the Blackhawks net and still caught a blow to the head. Chytil, who scored a goal earlier in the blowout game, went straight to the locker room and missed the remainder of the contest. There was no penalty on the play or any supplementary discipline for Lafferty from the NHL’s department of safety. 

“That was a chance to score [a] goal, so I was watching it,” he said when asked if he felt he got caught watching the puck. “I wanted to come back to the play, but when I’m standing alone in the corner, guy comes to me and hits me. That’s what he wanted to do probably.” 

Between Chytil’s concussion history and the fact that the game was already in the bag, the Rangers likely wanted to play it safe with him. Chytil said that he did feel OK to come back in play, but there really was no need to risk it. All Chytil said he cared about was that the Rangers ultimately won. 

Chytil slotted back into his usual spot in the middle of Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko, which is a trio which has skated together for four straight games. 

Igor Shesterkin earned the starting nod Tuesday night, marking his 25th start through the Rangers’ 34 games so far this season. In four of his past five contests, Shesterkin has allowed one goal or fewer. He is also 6-0-1 in his last seven starts with a .935 save percentage and a 1.95 goals-against average. 

Entering Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh, the Russian goalie had yet to lose a game on the road in regulation. He is just the 12th goalie in NHL history who has recorded a point in at least 10 of their first road starts in a season, joining former Rangers Dave Kerr (11 games in 1939-40) and John Ross Roach (10 games in 1921-32). 

Among goalies with at least 20 starts this season, Shesterkin is ranked seventh at .919. 

Vincent Trocheck, who is a Pittsburgh native, hosted the whole team on Monday for a big dinner that his grandmother cooked.