SEATTLE — Two weeks and five games since he last saw a game, Johnny Brodzinski returned to the Rangers' lineup Sunday night in a 2-0 win over the Kraken.
The 31-year-old knows how difficult it is. He lived by that belief his entire professional hockey career.
Filip Szitil went down in a collision with K'Andre Miller in a game against the Sharks earlier this week, and the Czech center was unable to accompany the team on Saturday as he underwent further tests for an upper-body injury.
Just like when Sitil went down a year ago, Brodzinski knew it meant he was next in line.
It doesn't matter that Brodzinski hasn't played since Nov. 1.
He knows that better than anyone, as a player who has played deep roles for the majority of his nine-year career, bouncing between the AHL and NHL.
“As my career progresses, the more I miss, the more I feel like I'm ready to get back in action,” Brodzinski said Sunday morning, before recording two shots on goal and a block. One stroke away from victory at Climate Pledge Arena. “On my days off, I do a lot more work on the ice to get ready.
“That way it will be smooth when I get back into the lineup. I was ready the whole time. The transition should be very seamless.”
Brodzinski said he plans to do exactly what he did last year when he returned to the lineup during Sitil's injury. It's produced by Will Quill and Kaapo Kakko.
The three skaters played together in 13 games last season, outscoring their opponents 7-4 in 101 minutes, 28 seconds of ice time, according to Natural Stat Trick.
They might have lost 56-49, but they finished evenly 22-22 on dangerous chances.
Head coach Peter Laviolette said of the pairing with Brodzinski, who has one goal and one assist in seven games so far this season, “They've played well in the past, and he's contributed to that.'' “I was doing it,” he said. “He's played every line since I've been here. He's played left wing, center, right wing, every position. I think it should be somewhat seamless for him, That line has given us good times in the past.”
The ripple effect of Cityl's loss created an opportunity for Quill as well.
With Sitil still back in New York, a spot on the second power play unit is suddenly up for grabs.
During Sunday's morning skate, Quill took the first few reps in Bumper while captain Jacob Trouba rotated up top. However, the Rangers didn't get a power play in the win, so Quill will have to take advantage of the man advantage and wait for his next chance.
“This is a good opportunity for me,” Quill told the Post from inside the visitors' locker room Sunday morning. “It's all about taking chances whenever I can. Hopefully I can go out there during the game and do my best and see what happens.”
The Hartford Wolf Pack has released Adam Arn from the PTO, according to the AHL's trade page.
