Filip Chytil Will Not Play Vs. Buffalo Sabres, Back In New York Being Evaluated by Team Doctors

Filip Chytil will not play Tuesday vs. the Buffalo Sabres, as he returned to New York from Pittsburgh to be evaluated by team doctors.

Filip Chytil has returned to New York for evaluation by team doctors and will be unavailable tomorrow vs. BUF.

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 25, 2021

Chytil collided with forward Evan Rodrigues during the team’s loss on Sunday, and despite returning after the hit was sidelined for the entirety of the third period. Here’s a look at the collision.

OOOOOF.#LetsGoPens Evan Rodrigues hit on #NYR Filip Chytil pic.twitter.com/2xcvpWLQdL

— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) January 25, 2021

Chytil is off to a great start with a line of 2-1-3 in five games while averaging just 12:13 a game, and is among the team leaders with a 68.72 xGF%, a 62.44 CF%, and a 78.94 GF% at 5v5 per Evolving-Hockey.

Losing Chytil would be a tremendous blow to the team’s center depth with Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Strome collectively off to a slow start. Chytil’s looked much more effective this season —although the sample is small— and this year represents an opportunity for the young center to breakout and claim a top-six role.

He skated in 60 games last season, and finished with a line of 14-9-23 while skating 14:50 a night. Chytil’s 23 points was a tie of his previous high, although he achieved the feat last season in 15 fewer games than the year prior.

Here’s to hoping that the evaluation by team doctors comes back positive, and Chytil doesn’t miss any significant time.