Return brief as Chytil sits with illness

RALEIGH, N.C. — After playing in his first game back from a suspected concussion that sidelined him for the past six months, Filip Chytil was not available for the Rangers’ 4-3, Game 4 loss to the Hurricanes due to what the team described as “illness.”

Chytil was not on the ice for the morning skate on Saturday at PNC Arena, but head coach Peter Laviolette classified the Czech forward as a game-time decision. He ultimately did not dress.

“He felt great [Friday], went to the team meal,” Laviolette said of Chytil, who was glowing during his postgame interview on Thursday. “Woke up this morning and didn’t feel well.”

The Rangers’ bench boss wouldn’t reveal much beyond that, declining to address whether Chytil’s illness was connected to the suspected concussion he had just returned from.

With Chytil unavailable, Jonny Brodzinski drew back into the lineup for the first time since April 11. Instead of serving as a placeholder for Chytil during morning skate, the 30-year-old forward took reps on the fourth line alongside Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow, and that’s where he played in the game, logging 8:49 on ice.

The third line pre-Chytil, with Will Cuylle, Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko, was reunited.

Matt Rempe took the ice for warm-ups, but did not take line rushes and was ultimately a healthy scratch for a second straight game.

There’s always a chance it’s a pure coincidence, but Chytil not being able to get on the ice the second morning after playing his first game back from what is believed to be his fourth documented concussion is not an encouraging sign for the 24-year-old.

The Rangers have always maintained that Chytil’s health is of the utmost importance and the organization will surely navigate the situation accordingly.

Chytil, who was medically cleared on April 12 before the playoffs officially began, has been a full participant in practice ever since. He had been ramping his game up and reportedly advocating for himself to play.

Laviolette ultimately reinserted Chytil in the lineup for Game 3, which resulted in a 3-2 overtime win and a 3-0 series lead for the Rangers.

➤ Through Game 4, Mika Zibanejad has totaled 13 points by way of three goals and 10 assists through eight playoff games, tied for the third-most in the NHL.