In a recent update for the New York Rangers, center Filip Chytil was benched for Game 4 on Saturday after falling ill, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Pending a game-time decision by Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, as reported by Mollie Walker of The New York Post, Chytil had just rejoined the team in Game 3 following a concussion hiatus since November.
In his comeback game, Chytil managed a shot and a hit over 12 minutes on ice, showing promising reintegration into game tempo. However, Laviolette confirmed that Chytil’s Game 3 performance showed no signs of lingering injury problems, attributing his absence solely to feeling unwell Saturday morning.
Filling in for Chytil, Jonny Brodzinski was called up, taking over a slot left by Matt Rempe, though both were active in pre-game preparations. Brodzinski, with minimal Stanley Cup Playoff experience and only one appearance during a First Round loss for the Rangers in last year’s postseason, arrived at Saturday’s crucial game with a career-high 19 points this season and an additional 25 points from 16 AHL games. The future of Chytil’s participation remains uncertain, leaving Brodzinski’s position in flux as the Rangers strive for advancement.
Around the NHL, Vancouver Canucks are potentially facing Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers without defenseman Tyler Myers, who is nursing an undisclosed injury, TSN’s Farhan Lalji reports. Myers, crucial to the Canucks’ playoff strategy with an average of nearly 20 minutes on ice over seven games, has yet to score this Spring.
Noah Juulsen is the probable substitute if Myers cannot play, amidst the team’s proactive roster expansion including six defensemen on Friday. Following a tight 4-3 overtime loss to the Oilers, levelling the series at 1-1, the Canucks are under pressure to solidify their defense.
In other news, the Department of Player Safety has decided against penalizing Oilers forward Derek Ryan for a recent on-ice incident involving a spear to Nils Hoglander of the Canucks, as reported by Vancouver’s Irfaan Gaffar. Both players received minor penalties during the game, with Ryan cited for slashing and Hoglander for interference. Ryan, with one assist over four playoff appearances, is expected to continue as Edmonton’s fourth-line center in Game 3.
The Colorado Avalanche’s goalie lineup takes a hit as Arvid Holm signs a three-year contract with SHL’s Rögle BK, moving on after a quest for more playtime within Colorado’s roster. Holm, with six wins in 12 AHL games and two wins in four ECHL games this season, returns to SHL where his career includes 55 games before his North American journey. Rögle enjoys the addition of Holm after a stellar playoff performance under the guardianship of Christoffer Rifalk, the team’s leading goalie for five seasons, who remains the frontrunner for the starting position next year.