RALEIGH, N.C. — Igor Shesterkin led the Rangers out for Game 3 warmups of their second-round series against the Hurricanes, and there, right behind him, was Filip Chytil.
The Czech center stepped onto the ice under the white hues of the PNC Arena lights to compete in his first game since suffering what was believed to be his fourth documented concussion of his seven-year NHL career.
It was a successful return debut for Chytil.
He recorded a solid 12:02 of ice time during the Rangers’ 3-2 Game 3 overtime win over the Hurricanes which put them in a commanding 3-0 position in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Despite being medically cleared since mid-April, Chytil has had to work his way back to be as close to game shape as possible.
He’s been a full participant in practice for nearly a month, but he has only rotated in on lines.
With Chytil back in after missing 78 straight games, in both the regular season and the playoffs, Matt Rempe was a healthy scratch for the first time since April 11.
The Rangers won a marathon of a Game 2 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, which was decided by Vincent Trocheck in double overtime.
Rempe did not play a single shift in the third period, which also happened in their Game 1 victory, as well as either extra period.
Having to cut the bench down like that presumably factored into head coach Peter Laviolette’s decision to insert Chytil.