The news on Filip Chytil is, tentatively, positive.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Sunday that Chytil is feeling better after missing Game 4 of the series against the Hurricanes with illness, according to NHL.com.
Laviolette was hopeful that the Czech could return to the lineup for Monday’s Game 5.
The Rangers are hopeful Filip Chytil can play in Game 5 against the Hurricanes. Jason Szenes for the NY Post“As far as I know, he’s feeling better today and we’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Laviolette said, per NHL.com. “I hope [he can be an option Monday] but I don’t have an answer on it now. From what I understand, he was feeling better [Saturday] night, feeling better [Sunday] morning.”
Chytil, who missed nearly the entire regular season after suffering a suspected concussion, made a dramatic and unexpected return to the Rangers’ lineup in Game 3, skating 12:02 in the overtime victory over the Hurricanes.
It was equally discouraging, however, that Chytil could not take the ice two days later for Game 4.
Jonny Brodzinski drew in for Chytil in the 4-3 loss ahead of Matt Rempe, seeing 8:49 of ice on the fourth line with Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow.
The suspected concussion in November is believed to be Chytil’s fourth documented concussion, and he spent some of the season at home in Europe recovering.
Though the Rangers called it an illness on Saturday, it is not clear whether that was connected to the head injury or merely an unfortunate coincidence.
Filip Chytil made his return to the Rangers for Game 3 against the Hurricanes. APCertainly it is a red flag given Chytil’s injury history and the vague terminology NHL teams have used in the past when discussing concussions.
The team did not practice Sunday as it stayed over in Raleigh, leaving more ambiguity in his status for Game 5.
Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (right leg) skated in an optional practice Sunday, but coach Rod Brind’Amour called him doubtful for Monday night.
“He has to give us the green light,” Brind’Amour said. “Definitely not pushing him into something he’s not comfortable with.”
Jacob Trouba was the only Ranger defenseman on the ice for all three of Carolina’s even-strength goals Saturday, and has been on for seven straight Carolina goals.
The Rangers were outshot 11-6 and had just a 35.12 expected-goals percentage with the captain on the ice during Game 4.
Across the four games, however, Trouba has some of the better on/off numbers at five-on-five, owing mostly to a strong first two games.
