The Rangers are struggling mightily as they return home in the midst of a five-game losing streak, but they are set to receive a huge boost for Saturday’s game against the Canadiens.
Star winger Chris Kreider and talented young center Filip Chytil are officially set to make their return to the lineup for the Original Six meeting at The Garden, head coach Peter Laviolette revealed pregame.
The coaching staff is still working through who will come out of the lineup as they slot back in.
Kreider missed the last three games with back spasms, but he was also front and center in trade rumors this week, as GM Chris Drury told teams around the league that he was among numerous players who would be available in talks as they consider shaking things up.
He is expected to be reunited with Mika Zibanejad and should help the struggling top power-play unit.
Chytil's absence was a bit more concerning, as he ended up being sidelined for a total of seven games after sustaining an unidentified upper-body injury on a tough open-ice collision with teammate K'Andre Miller during the Rangers' win over the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 14.
He rejoined the team in Calgary in the middle of their recent road trip after a concussion was officially ruled out, but he couldn't be reinserted into the lineup just yet, as he hadn't taken full contact in practice.
But now that he is cleared, Chytil figures to return to his spot centering New York's third line, which has oftentimes been a catalyst on both ends of the ice for them this season.