BRENTWOOD, Mo. — It was inevitable there would be a dip in the play of 19-year-old Filip Chytil. But it’s still a surprise to see that Rangers coach David Quinn seems likely to make him a healthy scratch for the New Year’s Eve game on Monday night in St. Louis against the Blues.
“I just think he’s had a couple tough games the last few games,” Quinn said after Sunday’s practice at a local public rink. “He’s had a great year, done a lot of good things. Just last two games, there’s been a dip in play. We’ll certainly talk to him and make a decision [Monday] on what we’re going to do.”
Chytil has played in every one of the Rangers’ first 37 games, registering six goals and seven assists while bouncing around from wing to center, up and down the lineup. As recently as Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets in the Garden, he was playing top-line left wing alongside Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich.
But when Jesper Fast and Cody McLeod returned from injury for Saturday night’s 4-3 win over the Predators in Nashville, Chytil was moved to the third-line wing next to Brett Howden and Buchnevich, and the line struggled to create much offense.
Henrik Lundqvist is set to get his third straight start in nets as the Rangers have begun a three-week stretch when they play every other day. Quinn said that backup Alex Gerogiev is going to start “a few times” during this stretch, but it is a “day-to-day” process.
“It’s just how Hank’s feeling, how he’s playing,” Quinn said.
Quinn had Boo Nieves skating in Chytil’s spot on the third line, but Nieves struggled out of his natural center position in the one game he played there back on Dec. 16.
“Just to get a look,” Quinn said.
That spot could go to Jimmy Vesey, who played on the fourth line Saturday when Nieves was a scratch.
With Kevin Shattenkirk set to return to the lineup, Quinn did not disclose which defenseman was coming out, but did say he planned on dressing six. The coach practiced with Shattenkirk paired with Freddy Claesson, who was a scratch on Saturday night as Tony DeAngelo reentered the lineup after three straight games out.
The Rangers took the ice following a practice for a local team of 5-year-olds.
“It’s the best ice we’ve skated on all year,” Shattenkirk said.