Rangers hope extra rest will help Filip Chytil, Blake Wheeler as next round looms
It’s not yet clear when the Rangers will begin the Eastern Conference Final, but the extra rest gained from avoiding Game 7 against the Hurricanes could bring dividends come Game 1 against the Bruins or Panthers.
That goes for any team with extra rest, but in particular the Rangers, who are waiting and hoping Filip Chytil will be ready, and perhaps Blake Wheeler as well.
The Rangers have been intentionally vague about both players working their way back from injury and did not practice Friday.
Chytil, who played Game 3 against the Hurricanes before re-exiting the lineup, was a full-contact practice participant from Game 5 onward while Wheeler was officially taken off long-term injured reserve Thursday after spending the week fully participating in practices.
After recovering from a suspected concussion sustained in November to play in Game 3, Chytil’s status has become a mystery.
He did not skate two days later, officially due to illness, but missed Game 5 because of soreness.
The Czech has not been made available to reporters.
Wheeler, who sustained a nasty right leg injury in February, was expected to miss the rest of the season but his return to practice has given the Rangers a glimmer of hope.
Having either player in the conference finals would be a boon to a team that did not get much production out of its 12th forward spot in the second round, with Peter Laviolette reluctant to play Matt Rempe on the road or in the third period.
Not only would it be a major emotional boost, but the lineup options for Laviolette would immediately become intriguing if he was working with a healthy stable of players.
The more time the Rangers get to recover and make that a possibility, the better.
After scoring just 12 regular-season points, Barclay Goodrow’s empty-net goal on Thursday night made it five points in 10 playoff games for the two-time Cup champion. Goodrow is just one point from equaling his career playoff high.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Rangers in the NHL playoffs
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Mika Zibanejad became the 10th player in Rangers history with 10 assists in potential series-clinching games along with Brian Leetch and Mark Messier.