Goodnews: Rangers Star man set to return from injury against the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Rangers, who have a relatively healthy squad this late in the season, are set to play the Florida Panthers in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday.
The Blueshirts seem to be playing at maximum capacity as they attempt to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2014, and it looks like they might be adding additional players.
The lineup might include Blake Wheeler again.
Since his right leg became so twisted on February 15 that he needed assistance getting off the ice, Blake Wheeler, 37, has not been in the Rangers lineup. Many believed Wheeler’s NHL career had ended because of the horrific nature of his injury.
Even though the injury was severe, the 37-year-old’s road to recovery began when he was placed on injured reserve. Therefore, the injury was never considered season-ending.
Wheeler has been resuming practice over the last three weeks and said on Sunday that he is available to play.
“I believe that having the red jersey taken off and being taken off injured reserve will fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a viable option ever since I was injured. We’re at that point now, according to Wheeler (h/t ABC).”From there, it will be up to the coach, but I’m ready to help in any way I can.”
Before suffering the injury, Wheeler made 54 appearances, recording 12 assists and nine goals.
What position would Wheeler hold on the Rangers roster?
Since Wheeler last skated in a game with the Rangers, their roster has changed significantly, which makes it intriguing to see where he fits in the forward group.
Given that the starting lineup for the team is essentially decided, dropping the newly returned Filip Chytil to the fourth line and inserting Wheeler could result in Will Cuyle losing his place.
A different scenario would be for Wheeler to replace Cuyle on the fourth line alongside Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow.
Where Wheeler ends up is a matter of time, but head coach Peter Laviolette will need to make some tough choices in order to help the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup since 1994.
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Why it’s popular for Filip Chytil to start the Rangers’ first game against the Panthers
You are aware by now that Peter Laviolette, the coach of the New York Rangers, will withhold any information regarding starting lineups during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And it doesn’t seem like Laviolette will even respond to specific queries about particular players as the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers approaches on Wednesday.
Therefore, attempting to decipher the complete Rangers lineup for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden is like to reading tea leaves.
However, Filip Chytil appears to be headed toward starting the best-of-7 series on the left wing of the third line based on their lineup on Monday during practice. During practice, the 24-year-old skated in that position with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko. Will Cuylle then went down to the fourth line with Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow.
“I felt Fil had a nice look. He was practicing well. Thus, that’s advantageous for us,” Laviolette remarked.
When Chytil played his first game in six months following an upper-body ailment thought to be a concussion on November 2, the Rangers lined up in the bottom six of their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
It continued into the game, of course. Due to illness, Chytil was unable to participate in Game 4 and the final two games of the series. However, Monday, two days before the Panthers series opener, he was on the third line, despite having expressed in a conversation with the media on Sunday his desire to return to the starting lineup.
Chytil said to Vince Mercogliano of Gannett, “I want to play.” “I didn’t sign up to go on a vacation to Florida and New York and watch guys from the stands. I’m eager to participate in games. I will always give it my all when I’m selected for the starting lineup.
In 10 games this season, Chytil, who began the game as the middle player between Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin, had six assists. Of course, Vincent Trocheck took over for the sidelined Chytil. He had an All-Star season, is tied for second place in the Rangers playoff standings with 14 points, and has scored six goals.
Thus, Trocheck will not be replaced by Chytil. However, Chytil, who plays left wing on the third line, possesses the skill set to help that line produce more. In ten playoff games, the third line has scored two goals, one each from Cuylle and Kakko.
“We have to perform for everyone who enters the lineup,” Laviolette said, evading a direct query regarding Chytil. “You have to bring something to the table if you’re a physical, defensive guy. You have to come in and create if you’re a creative guy. .. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to grasp the rope and ensure that we are all tugging in the same direction.
Cuylle extends the lineup even further by giving the fourth line a little more skill. During the regular season, the rookie scored 13 goals. Along with being a big, aggressive forward, he topped all NHL rookies and the Rangers in hits this season with 249. Third on the Rangers with 29 hits in the postseason is him.
During practice, the extra forwards were Blake Wheeler, Jonny Brodzinski, and Matt Rempe. After missing three months due to a lower-body injury, Wheeler is healthy and regarded as a lineup option.
