"It was an amazing feeling" – @filip_chytil on his #NYR OT winner pic.twitter.com/o1Zvan39Ia
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2017
Filip Chytil didn’t disappoint in his first game with the New York Rangers.
The Rangers first-round draft pick, Filip Chytil could not stop smiling following Wednesday night’s contest against the New Jersey Devils. It was his first NHL preseason game—and his first at Madison Square Garden.
Chytil had an impressive Rangers debut centering a line with Chris Kreider on the left wing and Mats Zuccarello on the right. He scored the game-winning, power-play goal on a beautiful assist from Zuccarello with four seconds left in the overtime period.
#ChytilMania invades The Garden! #NYR pic.twitter.com/uZyL1HtQu5
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2017
In 18:52 minutes of playing time, Chytil finished with three shots on goal, a plus-2 rating and, of course, the game-winner in OT.
“I felt great,” he told Matt Calamia of the team’s official website after the game. “It was my first game after four weeks. It was a great game. I played with great guys, great players. Some of the best players in the league.”
Zuccarello was impressed with the youngster as well, noting that he spoke with Chytil before the game and offered some simple advice.
"He showed a lot of skill tonight." – @matszuccarello on his #NYR linemate @filip_chytil's night against New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/9XP4reXpqg
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2017
“He played well. Made some good plays,” Zuccarello added. “He was good in the defensive zone as well. I talked to him before the game and told him to play a simple game until we get to the offensive zone and then do what you want. He showed a lot of skill today.”
Head coach Alain Vigneault was happy with Chytil’s first start. “He played a good game, for a first game in the NHL, everyone saw the skating and the skill set, Vigneault told Calamia. “There’s no doubt that there’s a tremendous amount of upside there.”
Chytil will dress for the Rangers when they visit the New York Islanders tomorrow night in Bridgeport, CT. Per Calamia, he’ll have new linemates tomorrow night with Pavel Buchnevich and J.T. Miller on his wings.
To circle back, AV said Chytil will center Miller and Buchnevich tomorrow vs. Isles in Bridgeport. #NYR
— Matt Calamia (@MattCalamia) September 21, 2017
This, of course, will bring up some more interesting questions.
Is the J.T. Miller center experiment over after just one game? I would think not and figure the coaches want to see Chytil and Miller play in back-to-back games for different reasons, so he will use this line for this game.
If Chytil can play like this every night, it will force the coaches to think hard about the starting lineup. Can the Rangers start the season with both of their first-round picks, Chytil and Lias Andersson, on the team?
We can worry about that one once preseason concludes. Right now it’s fun just to watch these kids skate hard and have a lot of fun on the ice.
