The Rangers will almost certainly keep Filip Sitil’s playing status close to his best until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night, when he takes the ice to warm up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Panthers.
But while the Czech’s spectacular comeback was derailed when he appeared in Game 3 against the Hurricanes and then sat out the rest of the series, the signs remain positive that he will return to the lineup.
Sitil participated fully in Monday’s practice and was on the third line with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko.
He also attracted a second power play unit.
Nothing is certain. However, this should mean the Rangers are hoping Sytil is on track for Wednesday night’s game.
“Remove that part. [about Chytil] If the players we want to be in are going to be in the lineup, we have to do our job,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “If you’re a physical player defensively, you have to bring that to the table. If you’re a creative person, come in and create. If you’re a good defender, you have to bring it to the table. Please protect it.
“We had a good practice today and I thought Phil looked good. We had a good practice, so that’s a plus for us.”
The Rangers did not allow Sitil to speak to Post reporters after Monday’s practice, but he made it clear the day before that he wanted to play in the conference finals.
Cityl’s regular season lasted only 10 games before he suffered what was believed to be his fourth recorded concussion.
It took him until Game 3 of the second round to return (he returned to the Czech Republic in January to reset), but after returning, he was plagued by “illness” and “pain” and missed the rest of the series. .
Will Quill moved to the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey during Monday’s practice while Cityl played on the third line.
Matt Rempe, Johnny Brodzinski, and Blake Wheeler all skated as extras.
Ryan Lindgren missed practice due to maintenance. Zach Jones skated in Lindgren’s usual spot next to Adam Fox as a placeholder. The rest of the defensive pairing was the same as in Game 6 against the Hurricanes, with Quandre Miller and Jacob Trouba skating as the second pair.
The Rangers have signed 2023 sixth-round pick Dylan Rubrec to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
Rubreck, 19, has 26 goals and 46 assists this season with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, his third in the OHL.
Rubreck also signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL Hartford Wolfpack, allowing him to immediately join the minor league team that will face Hershey in the Atlantic Division finals.
