For the first time in many months, the New York Rangers will have a fully healthy roster at their disposal for the Eastern Conference final against the Florida Panthers.
It was confirmed by head coach Peter Laviolette during his press conference that players including Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler will be available for the series as both players were struggling with long term injuries.
Wheeler has been out of the lineup since February 15th after taking a lower body injury which put him on the shelf for the remainder of the season. Having him returning to the lineup will give the Rangers more depth especially in their bottom 6 and having many years of experience especially in the playoffs will give them a boost.
Chytil did return to the playoffs in game three against the Carolina Hurricanes. Soon after, he did suffer an illness and potential other symptoms that kept him out of the remainder of the series with the Rangers prevailing.
It will certainly be a luxury for Laviolette having all these players available to him and it will give him an option or two to match against the Panthers who will be a tough opponent for the Rangers.
The series will begin on Wednesday May 22nd and puck drop will be at 8:00 PM eastern at Madison Square Gardens.