Rangers Filip Chytil says he’s ready after concussion, Ryan Lindgren doubtful
Filip Chytil was once again a full participant at practice on Saturday as the team prepares to play the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. The 23 year-old center has been out since October 23 after an inadvertent elbow to his head caused a concussion leading to him to miss the last six games.
When head coach Gerard Gallant was asked about Chytil’s availability today, he didn’t commit to confirming him in the lineup.
“I’ll find out from the trainers as soon as I meet with them,” he said. “I’m hoping but I have to find out.”
Filip Chytil says he’s ready
Chytil is eager to get at it again after registering two goals and three points in 5 games, before Columbus’ Cole Sillinger caught him with an elbow in the team’s sixth contest of the season.
“I’m ready to play,” Chytil said. “I feel 100 percent and I can’t wait for tomorrow. How I started, I was happy about it. I had a little pause but I can’t wait to get back to where I left off.”
During ESPN’s broadcast of the Rangers 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday, Emily Kaplan confirmed that Chytil suffered a concussion.
As a result, Chytil will be wearing a tinted visor which other players have done after dealing with concussion symptoms. Light sensitivity is one of the more common issues and the tint reduces the effects of that.
“It helps me and that’s what I need,” Chytil noted. “The ice and the lights, it helps my body and that’s why I use it.”
Chytil is entering the final year of his deal with a cap hit of $2.3 million. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July. He has 96 points in 259 career regular season games.
Ryan Lindgren doubtful
Ryan Lindgren, 24, was enjoying a strong start to the season with 2 assists in 12 games played before being knocked out of the Rangers last game against the Bruins. David Pastrnak caught Lindgren when he wasn’t looking which caused the injury and has him doubtful for Sunday’s game against Detroit.
“If Lindgren doesn’t play tomorrow, obviously Libor (Hajek) is there,” coach Gallant stated. “[Gord Murphy] will decide on the pairs later.”
Based off reports of today’s scrimmage, it will be hard to discern the pairings with Jacob Trouba being given a maintenance day. Here’s a projected look at what the lineup will be with Filip Chytil back and Ryan Lindgren likely out.
- Kreider – Zibanejad – Kakko
- Panarin – Trocheck – Lafrenière
- Vesey – Chytil – Goodrow
- Blais – Carpenter – Gauthier
- Hajek – Fox
- Miller – Trouba
- Jones – Schneider
- Halak
- Shesterkin
Ryan Reaves, who took some turns on defense will likely be scratched. Injured forward Vitali Kravtsov was also involved in scrimmages but he hasn’t been cleared to play.
Halak should likely get the start in goal. He hasn’t played since a 3-0 loss to the Islanders on October 26. He’s 0-3-0 with a bloated GAA of 3.69 and a terrible .867 SV%.
Correction: Gauthier was listed twice
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