Rangers' Filip Chytil forced to leave early with injury
Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers grimaces after an injury during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022 in New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Filip Chytil was off to a fine start through the first five games of the season with two goals and an assist as the center of the Rangers’ third line.
But the 23-year-old Czech was forced to leave Sunday’s game on his first shift after taking a shoulder to the head from Columbus forward Cole Sillinger in the Rangers’ 5-1 loss at Madison Square Garden.
Chytil was standing in the Blue Jackets’ slot area, looking at the puck, when Sillinger skated up from behind and hit Chytil, who did not have the puck. Neither referee saw the play apparently, and Chytil fell to the ice and remained on his knees for several moments before leaving the game.
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said Chytil is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated Monday. He said he did not see the play when it happened.
“I did not see it until I looked on video after,’’ Gallant said. “I don’t think it was a vicious play. I don’t think [Sillinger] meant to hurt him. But he still got him with a shoulder in the head . . . I don’t think there was any intent at all. But it happened.’’
If Chytil misses time, the most likely move for Gallant will be to have Barclay Goodrow serve as the center of the third line, with Jimmy Vesey returning to play left wing and Vitali Kravtsov on the right.
Kravtsov returned Sunday after missing four games with an injury he suffered in the season opener. Vesey was scratched to make room for Kravtsov.
Halak gets the call
Gallant was asked to explain his decision to start backup goalie Jaroslav Halak, rather than Igor Shesterkin. “We’ve got a busy schedule coming up and . . . Benny [Allaire, the goaltending director] sits down with us and we pick out the games,’’ Gallant said. “If the schedule allows us, and nobody gets hurt, then we should go by that schedule. [Halak] is a good goalie. He had a great game in Winnipeg [Oct. 14]. Tonight wasn’t as good, but that’s all part of it. It’s far from his fault.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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