Filip Chytil is visibly bigger than he was a year ago, but that's not the only difference in the former first-round pick this season.
"I think I feel much more comfortable out there _ way more confident," the 6-2, 206-pound Rangers center said when asked to describe what is different about himself in his second NHL season. "It's a little different when I play center this year. I have different responsibilities. It's a little different game to play center than play wing, from last year."
The Rangers open up their post-Christmas schedule with back-to-back games, beginning with a visit from the Carolina Hurricanes Friday, followed by a four-game trip to Canada that kicks off Saturday in Toronto. The Blueshirts are 17-15-4, good for 38 points, which is eight points behind Carolina (22-13-2, 46 points) for the second wild card spot. The Rangers entered the three-day Christmas break on a down note with a record of 1-3-1 in their last five games.
