After missing the loss in Boston due to injury, it appears both Andrew Copp and Filip Chytil are set for a return tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. While the Rangers do still have a chance to win the Metropolitan Division, the chances are they are most likely to now finish second following the loss in Boston.
The return of the two forwards will undoubtedly bolster a Rangers line-up that looked a little flat at times against the Bruins. The absence of Copp in particular – and his replacement on the line by Dryden Hunt – certainly appeared to make the second line look a little less effective at generating offense. Copp’s faceoff prowess could well have helped as well, as the Rangers were outcompeted by the Bruins.
Chytil’s return also gives the third line a little bit of an offensive edge. The young Czech has played better in the last few weeks, but is starting to establish a pattern of getting injured every time he starts to get going. Playing out the last three games will be important for him, as the third line suddenly looks a lot more crowded than it did for most of the season.
The return of Kaapo Kakko to the line-up could theoretically still happen tonight too, through it appears Gallant will hold him out one more day and bring him back for tomorrow’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
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