The New York Rangers achieved a challenging 3-2 win against the rebuilding San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
However, the victory was marred by an injury to forward Filip Chytil.
The 25-year-old exited the game in the second period after an awkward collision with teammate K’Andre Miller during a puck scramble in the offensive zone.
The incident unfolded as Chytil and Miller pursued a loose puck but miscommunicated, resulting in Miller’s elbow colliding with Chytil’s head, as replays revealed.
Chytil seemed dazed after the impact and needed assistance to leave the ice for the locker room. Although he briefly returned to the bench, he was ultimately declared out with an upper-body injury.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette was unable to provide much detail about Chytil’s condition after the game.
“Day to day,” Laviolette stated to reporters, according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “Getting evaluated right now.”
Concern is warranted, given Chytil’s past head injuries, including a concussion that kept him off the ice for most of last season.
This season, Chytil has contributed 4 goals and 5 assists in 14 games, proving to be a reliable player for the Rangers.
Despite Chytil’s absence, the Rangers managed to hold off a San Jose comeback attempt.
Mika Zibanejad ignited a three-goal second period, scoring his eighth goal of the season to equalize before Jimmy Vesey and Vincent Trocheck found the net to secure the win.
Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves to thwart a late surge from the Sharks, who scored through Timothy Liljegren and Fabian Zetterlund.
With this victory, the Rangers improved their record to 10-4-1, earning 21 points and securing third place in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes (22 points) and New Jersey Devils (26 points).
