The New York Rangers received good news on Thursday as forward Filip Chytil returned to action during an overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes in the playoffs.
Chytil, who hadn’t played since November due to a head injury, made his comeback after more than three months. He played over 12 minutes and had 17 shifts in the game, contributing to the Rangers’ 3-2 victory that put them ahead 3-0 in the second-round playoff series.
Coach Peter Laviolette praised Chytil’s dedication to his recovery, mentioning that he had been working hard for the past month to get back on the ice.
Laviolette felt that the gap between Games 2 and 3 provided a perfect opportunity for Chytil’s return.
Despite the long break, Chytil’s performance improved throughout the game, showing no signs of rust. His return to the lineup meant rookie Matt Rempe was left out as a healthy scratch.
Chytil had played only 10 regular-season games before his injury, and he had gone back to his native Czechia to skate with Jaromir Jagr and others to aid his recovery.