Rangers' Filip Chytil feels ready for Eastern Conference Final: 'I want to play'

TARRYTOWN - Filip Chytil has understandably grown tired of trying to explain how he's feeling.

More than six months of starting and stopping following a suspected concussion and ensuing complications has exacerbated that frustration.

"I don’t know about the percentage," the Rangers' forward said when asked how close he is to 100%. "There are too many people talking to me about those percentages. I’m not talking about it. I don’t know. I’m just going to work every day now, and let’s see what’s going to happen. But if I’m going to play, I will give my best."

It would be unreasonable to expect Chytil to be at full strength considering the long layoff, but he believes he's close enough that he can help the team.

Unfortunately, he just can't seem to catch a break.

The 24-year-old made an exhilarating return for New York's 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series on May 9, which he seemed to make it through without hitch. But he missed the next game due to illness and did not appear for the rest of the series, which the Blueshirts closed out with Thursday's epic 5-3 comeback win in Game 6.

"I was feeling great in that game," he said Sunday in his first public comments since Game 3. "What happened after was just another experience for me and for the future. ... That was a tough moment."

There was a sense of relief when the illness was determined to be unrelated to his previous injury or any new head injury, according to one person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. Another source indicated that multiple players got sick during the Carolina series, with a bug apparently going around the locker room.

It's unclear if Chytil's absence for Games 5 and 6 was due to ongoing symptoms or a coach's decision, but the Rangers are rightfully proceeding with caution given everything he's been through.

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Head coach Peter Laviolette has repeatedly declined to reveal his lineup choices and likely won't change that philosophy heading into the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers, which will begin with Game 1 on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. But Chytil, who was once again a full participant in Sunday's practice at the MSG Training Center, left no doubt about his preference.

"I want to play," he said. "I didn’t join to just watch the guys from the stands and have a vacation in New York and Florida. I want to play. I’m going to do my best any time I get put in the lineup."

The Rangers' options are increasing, with veteran Blake Wheeler also cleared for full contact last week after missing more than three months with a lower-body injury that was initially feared to be season ending.

"We're working towards that," Laviolette said of having all players available. "Everybody to this point has been out on the ice, and as of recently, there's not been any restrictions on players."

Chytil seems more likely to slot in than Wheeler at this point, particularly given his speed element and scoring upside. He could rejoin the third line with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko, which would once again slide Will Cuylle down to the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey and make the Rangers' lineup look significantly deeper.

Whether Laviolette decides to go down that route remains a mystery, but Chytil sounds ready and willing if called upon.

"I feel great now," he said. "We have a couple more practices and I can work on my game. Let’s see what’s going to happen on Wednesday."

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rangers' Filip Chytil feels ready for ECF: 'I want to play'