Filip Chtyil returns to Rangers preseason game, scores against Islanders after injury scare
Filip Chytil and the New York Rangers apparently dodged an unfortunate situation in their preseason game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old center spent most of the first period in the dressing room after he was blown up on a center-ice collision with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield 5:52 into the game. He remained down on the ice for several minutes before being helped off by teammates Brennan Othmann and Vincent Trocheck.
Chytil favored his left leg as he went off with his arms around Othmann and Trocheck.
The Rangers did not immediately provide an update on Chytil, who appeared not to see Mayfield coming toward him. Mayfield’s knee may have hit Chytil’s knee, though it’s tough to tell exactly if that’s what happened. It could have been Chytil’s thigh which absorbed the blow.
“I saw him coming, maybe I could’ve made a better move,” Chytil told reporters. “But I saw him coming, I was ready for the hit, but I was not ready for his knee coming into my leg. This is a hockey play. I didn’t think about anything at all on the ice, even in the locker room and then I saw everything’s better. So I went back and played.”
Chytil returned to the Rangers bench with roughly three minutes remaining in the first period. During a TV timeout, he took a brief twirl on the ice and returned to the bench, not the dressing room.
Chytil took his first shift after returning with 46 seconds left in the period, and seemed to be skating fine.
His return allowed the Rangers a huge sigh of relief. Chytil missed all but 10 regular-season games last season with a suspected concussion after a hit by Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast on Nov. 2. Chytil returned six months later in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Hurricanes.
Chytil played six postseason games but didn’t record a point.
Related: Matthew Robertson sidelined with lower-body injury, could hurt slim chance at roster spot
Filip Chytil scores for Rangers after injury scare
Chytil was deemed a “full-go” by Rangers general manager Chris Drury when training camp began last week and is off to an impressive start. He had two points — a goal and an assist — and was the most dominant player on the ice in New York’s 3-2 win in its preseason opener at the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
On a mixed shift early in the second period Tuesday, Chytil set up Artemi Panarin for an excellent scoring opportunity, looking perfectly healthy after his first-period injury scare.
He then snapped a power-play goal past Islanders goalie Henrik Tikkanen at 13:50 of the third period. The Rangers rallied to win 6-4, and must feel fortunate that not only is Chytil healthy, but continued his strong preseason play Tuesday.
With Chytil laying on the ice Tuesday, Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren challenged Mayfield to a fight. Lindgren received an instigator penalty and misconduct, and was cut during the fight.
Lindgren did not return, and the Rangers stated he was out with an upper-body injury.
Artemi Panarin also left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury.
More About:New York Rangers News