Following a thrilling Rangers’ 3-2 win in overtime over the Hurricanes, Filip Chytil expressed excitement over finally returning to the lineup.

It had been six months since the 24-year-old center had played in a game. He suffered a concussion on Nov. 2 against the Hurricanes when he collided with Jesper Fast. In January, with him back skating at the Rangers practice facility, he had a setback due to falling on the ice.

At the time, it looked like his season was over. But Chytil started to feel better in April. He got cleared to practice without a no contact jersey. As he drew nearer to a comeback, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette handled him with caution. He didn’t play in the team’s first round sweep of the Capitals.

Facing a better opponent in the second round, the Rangers stuck with the same lineup for the first two games. They won each, including Game 2 on Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal in double overtime.

After Laviolette decided not to play Matt Rempe in the third period or overtime, he made the move to bring Chytil back for Game 3 on Thursday night.

Following a tentative start, Chytil grew more comfortable as the game went on. He nearly had a goal that could’ve finished off the Hurricanes in regulation. He made a great move to get in on Pyotr Kochetkov, whose poke check denied his bid to make it 3-1.

The Canes would force overtime on an Andrei Svechnikov goal with 1:36 left in regulation.

But in sudden death, an Alexis Lafreniere dump in behind the Carolina net led to Trocheck coming out and feeding Panarin for a between the legs deflection past Kochetkov for the overtime winner at 61:43.

That gave the Rangers a commanding three games to none series lead. Chytil was very happy to return.

He took 17 shifts and recorded one shot in 12:02 of ice time. The way he sounded, it felt like the beginning of something special. Chytil wants to be a part of it.

The Rangers are a very close-knit group with great chemistry. Seeing Blake Wheeler celebrate Panarin’s goal by the glass was great. There’s a lot of excitement.

A win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers might look different later. After feeling great, Chytil woke up and didn’t feel well.

Chytil went to the team meal. He missed the morning skate. Laviolette indicated that Chytil is a game-time decision. Hopefully, that means his illness isn’t related to a concussion.

Jonny Brodzinski skated on the fourth line. Will Cuylle was back on the third line. There’s a good chance Brodzinski plays tonight.

There’s no reason for Chytil to play. The Rangers are in the driver’s seat. They can wrap up the second round by sweeping a very good team. Expect the Hurricanes to be desperate. They’ve been in every game.

Igor Shesterkin has been the difference. He’s making the clutch saves. Along with a dominant special teams, that’s why the Rangers are a win away from the Conference Finals.

We’ll see if they have the killer instinct.