Filip Chytil Could Make Long Awaited Return to Lineup Ahead of Game 4 in DC

With Game 4 of the New York Rangers' 1st round playoff series with the Washington Capitals on the menu for tomorrow's offerings, one Blueshirt could make his long awaited return to the lineup after missing most of the regular season.

Filip Chytil, the 24-year-old center from Kroměříž, Czechia, could finally resume play with the team as he makes his first team road trip since sitting out most of the regular season with concussion like symptoms sustained in a November 2 contest against Carolina. This is why he only has 6 total points this season and only played in 9 other games, a stark contrast to his 2022/23 numbers (22 goals, 23 assists, 45 points in 74 games). Chytil could slot on the Rangers' 3rd line, alongside fellow youngsters Kappo Kakko and rookie left winger Will Cuylle. Alex Wennberg is usually the 2nd member of the 3rd line for the Rangers but could slide down after needing rest following the games at MSG, meaning Chytil could replace the 29-year-old Swedish center.

Chtyil has performed well in past playoffs, which is why his return may give the Rangers an extra boost in their Stanley Cup quest. 2022 saw him log 7 goals, 3 of which were game winners in a total of 20 games played, where the Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference finals, losing to eventual champion Tampa Bay in 6 games. It'll be an interesting test for the Rangers in tomorrow's game, especially as they're away from home and at an arena that they didn't win at in 2 of regular season contests with the Caps. Their only victories in this tight divisional season series both came back at MSG.

Now, Chytil's return isn't the only thing the Rangers might have to deal with when Game 4 drops tomorrow in the nation's capital. The DC crowd will be loud, especially after many cried foul with how superstar Artemi Panarin skated by any potential punishment, in-game or post-game, after his shoulder slammer on the Caps' own superstar in T.J. Oshie. That and it's their first taste of playoff hockey in two seasons, as they missed in 2022/23. Speaking of the loud crowd, one player specifically said that the Rangers must manage said noise in the opening 10 minutes. That came from one of the Rangers' most underrated, if not the most underrated players, Jimmy Vesey, who could be a dark horse in tonight's lineup. He may be on the 4th line with the likes of Barclay Goodrow, but so is the always dangerous Matt Rempe. Yes, that Matt Rempe. He's called the Rem-pire State Building for a reason, folks. And a solidly built team's 4th line can do a bit more than you might think.