Filip Chytil will play for Rangers in Game 3, more than six months after initial injury
RALEIGH, N.C. - Filip Chytil is back.
More than six months after he suffered a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 2, the 24-year-old forward is making a return against the very same opponent.
The stakes are much higher this time around, with the Rangers set to play Game 3 in their second-round series against the Canes on Thursday at PNC Arena.
Chytil previously attempted a comeback in late January, but suffered a setback that initially led to New York ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Then he surprised everyone by rejoining the team for practice on Apr. 12, with team doctors medically clearing him for full contact.
He's been skating with the team for nearly four weeks, but given his history of head injuries and the delicacy of his situation, head coach Peter Laviolette has maintained there was no timetable for his return to game action.
One person close to the situation recently told lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Chytil is "doing well and close," with the Rangers clearly deciding now is the time.
Even though they've yet to lose a game in these playoffs, going 6-0 to this point, the writing was on the wall for a change when rookie Matt Rempe didn't play in the final 49:57 of the Blueshirts' thrilling 4-3 double-overtime win in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Both Chytil and Rempe took warmups prior to Game 3, but Chytil was the one rushing with the third line alongside Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko. He was skating in the left-wing position, rather than his usual center spot, which may limit his exposure in the middle of the ice and reduce his all-around responsibilities, including on faceoffs.
That bumped rookie Will Cuylle down to the fourth line, where was skating with veterans Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Filip Chytil will play for Rangers in Game 3 vs. Hurricanes
