PITTSBURGH — Filip Chytil skated in the Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Penguins on Tuesday despite missing the whole of the previous game, but the Czech center was still upset about the hit from Blackhawks forward Sam Lafferty that caused him to leave the game early on Sunday.
“I didn’t have the puck for maybe two seconds,” Chytil told The Post following the Rangers’ morning skate at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. “I’m not sure. Perhaps someone disagrees with me, while others concur. That, however, was not a good play in my opinion. I believe there should have been a fine.”
Chytil made a pass behind the Blackhawks’ net and still received a headshot from Lafferty early in the second period. Chytil, who scored a goal earlier in the lopsided game, immediately left for the locker room and did not return. The NHL’s department of safety imposed neither a penalty on the play nor any additional sanctions against Lafferty.
Filip Chytil attempts to prevent Kasperi Kapanen from obtaining the puck during the Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Penguins.
Through Getty Images, NHLI
When questioned if he believed he was caught eyeing the puck, he responded, “That was an opportunity to score, so I was watching it.” “I wanted to return to the performance, but as I stood alone in the corner, a man approached me and punched me. Probably, he desired to achieve that.”
Due to Chytil’s history of concussions and the fact that the game was already decided, the Rangers likely wanted to play it safe. Chytil reported that he felt well to return to action, but there was no reason to take a chance. Chytil stated that his only concern was that the Rangers finally prevail.
On Tuesday, Chytil returned to his normal position in the centre of Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko, a trio that has skated together in four consecutive games.
In the last seconds of Tuesday’s game, Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin dove and collided with Mika Zibanejad, who was attempting to reach the net. Zibanejad collided with Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry because of a hazardous play.
Gerard Gallant, head coach of the Rangers, stated, “Someone should have been called for a foul.” “Whether for us it is goaltender interference or for them it is a trip. You make a decision.”
Three penalties and numerous turnovers best describe the Penguins’ performance in the first half of the game. Despite spending six minutes on the power play and having Pittsburgh stick to Zibanejad like glue, the Rangers went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
Vincent Trocheck, a native of Pittsburgh, invited the entire team for a supper prepared by his grandmother on Monday.
»Filip Chytil has not gotten over the ‘cheap hit’ by Sam Lafferty of the Blackhawks«