Rangers center Phillip Phillip skated with the team on Thursday for the first time since sustaining an arm injury, which took four to six weeks to recover, a 3–2 loss to the Penguins on 24 January.
The 21-year-old is still considered a “day to day” according to head coach David Quinn, but there was no outright refusal to return to the lineup on Friday against the Bruins. Quinn said he wanted to see how Chitil felt after practice on Thursday.
“We’ll have to see him maybe a little bit more in practice, but we’ll see,” Quinn said. “We haven’t really talked yet after practice so it was a little [Thursday]. We will definitely assess that after meeting together as an employee here.
While recovering from his hand injury, which he sustained in a collision with Pittsburgh forward Evan Rodrigues, Cheetil was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list on 11 February. He was removed 10 days later, but revealed on Thursday that he had contracted coronovirus.
“I’m glad these two things are both [happened] Cheetil said that at the same time because it would not be good. “If I was going to return with my hand [injury] And in another week, I will get COVID. I’m glad I can overcome both of these things and come back now. “
Even though Quinn did not make it official, it does not appear that Chitil will be available for Friday’s matchup against Boston – when Rangers fans will be allowed at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season – given that he The team’s practice lines were moving around. Thursday
Asked how many practices he needs before he is ready to play, Chatil said it will depend on how he feels and when the coaching staff wants to bring him back.
“I don’t know how I’m going to feel tomorrow,” Cheetil said. “Hopefully, every day will be better than the other day. It is now only days. “
Through the first five games of the season, Cheetil was in full development. He scored two goals and one assist, while earning more ice time in each consecutive game. After the Penguins suffered a 5-4 overtime loss, in the first game from their injury, Chichill gained 18:21 during ice time.
Cheetil drove the Rangers too deep into the middle, which centers the third line, and began searching for chemistry with Alexis Lafierre. He looked more confident with the puck and kept his head up at all times, aspects of his game that required some work after the previous season.
Chitil scored four high-threat scoring chances and left the puck once in just 56 minutes of ice time Natural static trick. He was also joining a groove on Faceoff, an area the Rangers currently need to improve on, winning 15.5-37 and taking 40.54 percent from the dots.
“I think they were a great five games for me, I played really good hockey,” he said. “I thought it was unfortunate that I got injured but that is related to hockey, which is related to sports. Now I can work on my conditioning, stick with my technique, work with the puck and get better than before.
“I just can’t wait to be back and that will be the best thing, from the last game I played.”
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