By Matthew Blittner
Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com
The time for waiting is over.
Sunday night, March 25, 2018, the Rangers called up their two 2017 first-round draft picks: Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil.
In the Rangers 4-2 loss to the Capitals the following night at The Garden, Andersson made his NHL debut and Chytil appeared in his third NHL game; his first since the second game of the season.
Here’s a quick recap of how they performed:
Andersson began the game centering Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner. Meanwhile, Chytil started out centering Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.
While head coach Alain Vigneault mostly kept those lines intact, Lias and Filip actually ended up taking a number of shifts together during the second and third periods.
In that second period, Andersson recorded his first career NHL goal courtesy of a nifty behind-the-net pass from Vesey.
“That’s a goal-scorer’s goal,” said Chris Kreider.
Although the Rangers then trailed 4-1, Andersson’s goal brought The Garden crowd to life. And they were on high alert for a possible Chytil goal.
Filip almost made the fans’ dreams come true, but Washington goalie, Philipp Grubauer, had other plans; kicking out his left leg in the nick of time.
Chytil did exact a measure of revenge in the third period.
Four minutes and twenty-six seconds into the final frame, Chytil sent a shot toward the Capitals net. Even though Grubauer made the save, Zuccarello was there to clean up the rebound; bringing the Rangers within two goals and giving Filip his first career assist/point.
“They played well,” said Vigneault. “Both kids had a good game. It was an emotional day and an emotional game for them, but I thought they played well.”
As for the rest of the game…
WHAT WENT WRONG
1. ALEX THE NOT-SO GREAT
Nobody can be perfect all the time. In Alexandar Georgiev’s case, his three goals on six shots performance proved that. Right from the get-go, Alex looked off. So, after Alex Ovechkin’s power-play goal 8:54 into the game, Vigneault pulled Georgiev for Ondrej Pavelec. It happens. You shake it off, learn from your mistakes and get right back out there.
[Read: Georgiev Looking To Conquer Boradway]
2. SPECIAL TEAMS
Not only did the Blueshirts power play go 0-for-4, but they also surrendered a shorthanded goal to Evgeny Kuznetsov. And, to show the complete off-night incurred by the Rangers special teams, they also allowed a power play goal; again courtesy of Ovechkin.
POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS
1. EARLY RETURNS
“It’s always fun to score and especially in your first NHL game,” said Andersson. “It took a few shifts, honestly, to get used to the rink and to the pace and to the league. But I think I played good in the second and third, and through the game.”
Once Andersson and Chytil got used to everything, they each delivered their first career points. Lias a goal and Filip an assist.
“It’s very good, but I would like to win,” said Chytil. “I wanted my first win on the New York Rangers.”
2. STELLAR RELIEF
For the first time since February 9, Pavelec appeared in a game for the Blueshirts. Getting called upon midway through the first period is not an ideal way to enter the game; especially when your team is trailing 3-0. But Pavelec made the most of the situation; stopping 26 of the 27 shots directed his way.
“Coming off the bench, he made some real big saves,” said Vigneault. “It was encouraging for the kids. He’s been a real good teammate. It was good to see him go in goal there and have a good game.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
The outcome of the game played second-fiddle to the debut of Andersson and the re-debut of Chytil.
“There’s no doubt that any time you bring up youth that has skill and character, you’re headed in the right direction,” said Vigneault. “Both of the young players we saw tonight have skill. Everybody talks about Lias’ character, who was captain of Sweden’s junior team this year. There’s definitely a lot of upside with both of those young men.”
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