The New York Rangers will likely be without forward Filip Chytil when they begin a four-game road trip Sunday night in Seattle.
It remains unclear if Chytil will rejoin the team later during the trip, which includes stops in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.
“Right now, he’s still being evaluated, and we’ll see,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Saturday after practice, prior to the team flying to the Pacific Northwest.
Chytil sustained an upper-body injury during the second period of Thursday’s 3-2 home win over the San Jose Sharks after colliding with teammate K’Andre Miller. He briefly returned for one shift before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
This season, Chytil has recorded nine points (four goals, five assists) and boasts a plus-11 rating in 15 games as the center on the third line alongside Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko.
The injury raises concern given Chytil’s history—he missed most of last season, playing in just 10 games due to an upper-body injury suspected to be a concussion.
“We’re always cautious with players,” Laviolette said. “Nobody returns without clearance from doctors and everyone doing their part. When players come back, they’re healthy and ready.”
Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad ended a nine-game goal drought with a crucial score in Thursday’s victory.
“It’s nice to contribute,” Zibanejad said. “Now I can go home and enjoy the evening with my family.”
Zibanejad faced criticism for three turnovers leading to goals during Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Winnipeg.
“He’s had a lot of success and scored many goals,” said defenseman Adam Fox. “It was important for him and the team to get that momentum.”
Jimmy Vesey and Vincent Trocheck also scored for New York, while Artemi Panarin extended his point streak to six games with an assist. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves.
The Seattle Kraken, aiming to sweep both New York teams, defeated the Islanders 3-2 in a Saturday matinee.
Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak scored the game-winner at 16:47 of the third period, with his slap shot deflecting off Islanders forward Brock Nelson’s skate. This came after Seattle’s fourth line—Brandon Tanev, Yanni Gourde, and Tye Kartye—kept the Islanders pinned in their own zone.
“We stuck to what has worked for us,” Oleksiak said as the Kraken extended their homestand record to 4-0-0. “The Gourde-Tanev-Kartye line was great, and I just worked hard, got the puck to the point, and got it on net.”
Yanni Gourde and Jared McCann also scored for Seattle, with McCann extending his point streak to five games (four goals, three assists).
Kraken coach Dan Bylsma praised his team’s consistent effort. “You have to grind it out, take your opportunities, and stay with it for a full 60 minutes. I thought we started strong and maintained the momentum.”
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