The news that Filip Chytil was "not feeling well" and had to be scratched from the Rangers lineup on Saturday night was -- and is -- doubly distressing.
The news that Filip Chytil was "not feeling well" and had to be scratched from the Rangers lineup on Saturday night was -- and is -- doubly distressing.
In a sense, it reminded me of "The Dreaded Three-Goal Lead." It feels so good -- until it comes back to bite you."
We all were doing handstands of joy when Fil returned to play robustly in a winning game. Then we discover that he was not even in the Saturday night lineup.
It was not merely a sad, personal story for the gifted Czech, but it terribly ruined what looked as if Lavvy now had four well-balanced lines.
Scrambling, the coach activated Jonny Brodzinski who wound up on the fourth line where Matt Rempe used to be. Brod got 8:49 of ice time including 3:01 in the third period where you'd never see Rempe.
It meant moving Will Cuylle to the third line, and he responded with a breakaway goal. there. Figure that Lavvy will leave Will there, as he should.
So, the issue is Jonny and whether he has the goods to make the fourth line the good one that it was on the one night when Chytil was healthy.
Or, dare Lavvy to go back to max-five minutes-a-game Rempe?
Personally, I think not, although 18,000 Garden customers might disagree.
If nothing else, this series has proven that the Rangers are resilient.
Or should I say were resilient?
Magnificent Mika says we should forget about Saturday night.
"We have to look ahead," says Zebanejad, "and (again) show how resilient we are."
I've got news for Brother Mika, all citizens of Rangerville will be waiting!
And hoping!