Filip Chytil is frustrated with his lack of production since returning to the Rangers' lineup from an upper-body injury.
Filip Chytil knows that he could play better.
To start the season, Chytil was arguably the New York Rangers’ most impactful forward as he was playing the best hockey of his career.
When on the ice, Chytil would dominate the pace of play with his impressive speed and generated what seemed like multiple high-quality scoring chances per game.
However, on Nov. 14, Chytil suffered a scary injury after colliding with K’Andre Miller, which sidelined him for a handful of games.
The 25-year-old forward ultimately returned, but he felt that the time away threw him off of his rhythm that he had at the beginning of the year.
“It's always hard when you leave for a couple weeks,” Chytil said. “I was playing with a flow before the injury, everything was going and I didn't have to think about it. When you’re off for a little bit, naturally you lose it. I’m just trying to find a way to get back to be the way I was playing at the beginning of the season. I think the chances are there still that I’m creating, but it could be way better and I must produce more.
“I’m not overthinking that, I’m just confident in myself, and if I keep going like that, work hard everyday, everything will come back and I’ll be in that same moment I was before the injury.”
Injuries have always been a big issue for Chytil. He’s already suffered multiple concussions through the course of his short NHL career and missed a lot of time due to his past injuries.
Prior to his most recent incident Chytil had four goals, five assists and nine points in 15 games. Since returning to the lineup, he’s recorded just one point in six games.
This frustrates Chytil and he is now putting pressure on himself to produce more.
“No,” Chytil said about if he found his flow back. “It’s hard to get that back. I feel like some games I’m playing good, some games could be better. I think I’ve created some chances for my teammates, but it’s not showing on a production that much right now, which would also help my body feel better. It hasn’t come so far after that injury with only one goal, but I have to just keep grinding and have to get back on track.”
As a line, Chytil, Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko have shown a lot of promise especially during the beginning stages of the season.
That trio impressed Peter Laviolette early on and he wants to see them continue to grow together.
