The news regarding Filip Sitil is tentatively positive.
Rangers manager Peter Laviolette said Sunday that Cityl, who missed Game 4 of the series against the Hurricanes with an illness, is feeling better. Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
Laviolette was hopeful the Czech could return to the lineup for Game 5 on Monday.
After missing nearly the entire regular season due to a suspected concussion, Cityl made a dramatic and unexpected return for the Rangers in Game 3, playing 12:02 in overtime against the Hurricanes.
However, it was equally disappointing that Sitil was unable to be on the ice for Game 4 two days later.
Johnny Brodzinski replaced Sitil in the 4-3 loss.
The suspected concussion in November is believed to be Sitil’s fourth recorded concussion, and he spent part of the season recuperating at home in Europe.
The Rangers announced it as an illness Saturday, but it’s not clear if it was related to the head injury or just an unfortunate coincidence.
The team stayed in Raleigh after Game 4 and did not practice Sunday, making his status for Game 5 even more ambiguous.
