CHICAGO — Filip Sitil was in the right place at the right time during Sunday night's game between the Rangers and the Blackhawks at the United Center.
The Czech center, who scored two goals on three shots in the win, has now scored four goals in his last four games and is currently on a season-long points streak of four games.
Sunday was the sixth multi-point game of his career and second of the season.
“He's gotten better again,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “His line was good. He has a real positive impact on the game. I thought he had a really good game.”
Just under 3 1/2 minutes into the second period, Chytil scored the far corner with a wicked wrister from the right circle to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead.
This ended up being the first goal of the middle three for the Rangers, and they were able to escape the game at that point.
The only goal of the third period also came from Sitil, who fought for position up front and took a 6-2 lead when a shot from K'Andre Miller rebounded.
Will Borgen, who scored his first point/goal as a Ranger in the win, said, “I've known him for a while and just played against him, but he's very skilled and fast.'' “It's nice to be on the same side when he's playing. Now I can sit back and watch.”
Goaltender Louis Domingue had a great performance in his season debut and first NHL game since Nov. 9, 2023.
Although he made 25 saves in the win, Domingue's most impressive save was his third.
Taylor Hall's shot from the slot took an odd bounce off TJ Brodie's skate in front of him, and Domingue opted to throw his stick in the air to keep the puck out.
“The puck changed direction at the last moment and I just reacted and threw my stick,” he said. “Fortunately the referee didn't say anything about it. It's an extension of my arm and all I have to do is frantically let go of the stick to get a little more reach. I just found my stick. It's kind of interesting.”
In two games with the Rangers, Domingue is 2-0-0, allowing just three points on 53 shots.
After Sunday's win, the Canadian netminder became the fourth Rangers goaltender in the past 25 years to win each of his first two games with the club.
Adam Fox, who assisted on Johnny Brodzinski's first-period score, tied Brad Park (283) for fourth on the Rangers' all-time assists list among defensemen.
By assisting on Sytil's second goal, Fox became the first defenseman in Rangers history to start his career with six consecutive 30-point seasons.
Mika Zibanejad's assist on Riley Smith's goal in the center field was his 400th career assist.
The Swedish center becomes the third active Swedish player to reach the mark, joining the Penguins' Erik Karlsson and the Lightning's Victor Hedman.
