Rangers Roundup: Panarin day-to-day, Chytil one time scratch, and Sammy Blais update
The New York Rangers have a day-off today as they head back from Arizona to start a three game homestand.
Gerard Gallant will be facing his last team, the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. That will be followed by four days off before facing the Montreal Canadiens (12/22) and then the Detroit Red Wings (12/27).
Let’s catch up on the latest news.
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Artemi Panarin day-to-day
Kaapo Kakko was the next man-up last night as he scored the game-winner against the Yotes on New York’s first power-play unit. That’s because Artemi Panarin left the game for undisclosed reasons after playing the first period and just one shift in the opening minutes of the second period.
After the game Gallant termed the injury as “minor” and listed Panarin as “day-to-day.”
He also further clarified that Panarin’s injury was lower-body. In previous seasons, Panarin has had some issues with his groin, but nothing serious. More information is expected before tomorrow’s contest against the Golden Knights.
Chytil a one time scratch
After the Rangers too close for comfort win against the Coyotes, the head coach was asked about scratching Filip Chytil.
Gallant was initially testy about answering and requested to talk about the game first. However, at the end of his postgame presser he provided some insights.
“It’s a one game thing,” Gallant said of Chytil’s scratch. “Sometimes you need lessons. I’m not saying it was a lesson tonight but Kegger’s been a great guy for us, so we’ll see where it goes.”
Chytil, 22, is starting his fourth full season with the Rangers after debuting for 9 games at the end of 2017-18. For all his size, speed, and skill, the youngster still struggles to be consistent. That issue is only compounded when he doesn’t look engaged as he did in his last two games against Nashville and Colorado. He registered just one shot in each contest, winning just 3 of 8 draws.
Let’s see if the coach puts him back in on Friday. Although, if Panarin is out, he’ll have no choice.
Sammy Blais update
NY Post’s Mollie Walker reports that Sammy Blais finally had surgery on his torn ACL yesterday and all went well.
The Rangers announced back in November that Blais would miss the next 6-8 months due to the injury and subsequent surgery.
Blais, 25, is on LTIR giving the Rangers an additional $1.5M in cap space ($9,710,189 per CapFriendly).
“I feel for the kid,” head coach Gerard Gallant said afterwards.
Here’s to a full recovery.
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