The Rangers have two prospects playing in the World Junior Championships and each are being counted on to play key roles for their respective teams. Lias Andersson, selected seventh overall in the 2017 draft, is Team Sweden's captain and first line center. Filip Chytil, taken 21st in the same draft, is the Czech Republic's main pivotman. Both got off to good starts Tuesday.
#NYR prospect @filip_chytil registered a goal and an assist in 15:17 of ice time to help lead the Czech Republic to a 5-4 win over Russia today at the #WorldJuniors.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 26, 2017
Chytil was dominant on the ice, starting from his opening shift and continuing throughout the game.
Filip Chytil's first shift of #WJC2018. #NYR pic.twitter.com/UT7G1uf7c8
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) December 26, 2017
He assisted on Ostap Safin's goal to notch his first point of the tourney, then scored later, cleaning up a rebound to the right of the net. If there was a downside to the game, Chytil was like a human pinata during the contest. Chytil took a shot from the goalie's stick to his neck, but even worse, earlier, a helmet to nose collision may have resulted in a nose. After the game, Chytil said he wasn’t sure if he broke his nose but said he had to get back on the ice for his country. I admire the patriotism, but as a Rangers' fan, it was a scary moment seeing blood drip down from Chytil's nose. He clearly showed he can take a hit or two and keep going. One mild concern was Chytil sitting for the last two minutes with the Czech Republic nursing a 5-4 lead. You would like to see your big weapon on late as evidence that the coach can rely on him to protect and close out a lead, but that may be nitpicking.
Oof, helmet straight to the nose pic.twitter.com/ygy1Bhpb5R
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 26, 2017
His rookie counterpart, selected 14 picks earlier had a pretty good game. I know some of the talk surrounded the level of competition. But Andersson beyond the goals won 7-of-10 draws, hit the post, showed his quick hands and displayed the ability to play on the PP - where he scored twice - and on the penalty kill. In addition, we saw his playmaking ability throughout the games, which Sweden won handily. Team Sweden's captain played 17:41 in the contest and did little to dim the luster he had entering the tourney.
#NYR prospect @liasandersson scores twice to help lead Sweden to a 6-1 win over Belarus at the #WorldJuniors!
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 26, 2017
Here is one of the two goals Andersson notched: (this one from Rasmus Dahlin, the possible first overall pick in this upcoming draft)
Dahlin to Andersson (#NYR). 6-1. #frolundahc #WJC2018 pic.twitter.com/C9tiQ4BKyy
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) December 26, 2017
We all get to watch the pair go head-to-head Thursday at 4pm, when Sweden faces the Czech Republic.