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Rangers may welcome back Chytil/Kreider against the Avalanche |
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Filip Chytil, out the last two games with an upper body injury, and Chris Kreider, sidelined since January 5, took line rushes and participated in power-play drills during practice Monday, a sign the two injured forwards may be available tonight vs. the Avalanche. With both forwards skating on the third line, joined by Arthur Kaliyev, Jonny Brodzinski and Jimmy Vesey were the extra forwards. After tonight’s contest, the Blueshirts face Utah on Thursday before heading home to take on the Blue Jackets on Saturday and the Canadiens in Montreal on Sunday.
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Zibanejad-Smith
Kreider-Chytil-Kaliyev
Edström-Carrick-Rempe
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Scratches: Vesey, Brodzinski and Jones (all healthy. Groulx was sent to Hartford)
The key question posed to Chytil post-practice was if his absence was concussion related. No. 72 said no, "it's more complicated than that." He reiterated that he'd be willing to sit and talk about it in the future.” A cryptic answer at best, but it makes you wonder if the issue is neck related, similar possibly to what Sidney Crosby was forced to deal with. The symptoms are related, but we may not know until after the season. Irrespective of what it is, and if it is neck related, that makes relying him in the future a bit easier, for this season, additional absences may be likely.
In regards to Kreider, hopefully the time off allowed his back issue to heal. Kreider, who was activated off the IL today, has been dealing with the issue all season and prior to being sidelined, he looked to be incredibly stiff in the locker room when giving out the Broadway Hat. I am not sure if the week or so off was sufficient, but we will certainly find out shortly.
Igor Shesterkin is unsurprisingly between the pipes. Look for him to likely play Thursday as well. Jonathan Quick will play one of the back to back games this weekend.
Larry Brooks wrote that the Rangers should not be in the player acquisition mode to try and make a run. Instead, New York would be best served to deal UFAs to replenish the pick population they dealt to make two ECF runs. If the team continues to play well and GM Chris Drury thinks they have a shot, I could see management attempting to bolster the lineup, especially the blueline. We could see players out and in, moving those who are viewed as not in the future plans (a list that likely includes Ryan Lindren and Reilly Smith, as well as possibly Zac Jones, K’Andre Miller and Will Borgen) while importing others to fill gaps in the near and longer term.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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