Alexis Lafreniere scratched as Filip Chytil returns for Rangers against Flyers

PHILADELPHIA — Filip Chytil returned to the Rangers’ lineup Wednesday for the Blueshirts’ 4-0 win over the Flyers, but coach Gerard Gallant surprised some by taking second-year winger Alexis Lafreniere out of the lineup to make room for Chytil.

“Fil was ready to come back in, we didn’t want him to sit in there for three games in a row, so that’s what you do, is you make decisions like that,’’ Gallant said. “Alexis [being scratched] is not from bad play. It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just, he’s young, he looks a little bit tired lately, to me. He hasn’t played an 82 game NHL schedule before . . . he’ll be back in next game.’’

While the Rangers would like to catch the Carolina Hurricanes and try to win the Metropolitan Division, Gallant has said the bigger priority for the Rangers is to make sure they are ready for the playoffs, which starts in two-and-a-half weeks. Resting players occasionally is part of that, and Lafreniere won’t be the last player to get a night off, the coach hinted. “There’s a good chance it’s going to happen,’’ he said of players getting rested. “We’ve got extra players.’’

Chytil back in his spot

Chytil had missed two games with an upper-body injury. He returned to his usual spot on the third line, with Barclay Goodrow shifting to left wing, and Kaapo Kakko playing right wing. Kakko had two goals, Goodrow two assists, and Chytil one assist in the game. “The line was excellent,’’ Gallant said. “They created some good offense down low, and I thought they were the most consistent line all night for us.’’

Braun returns to Philly

Defenseman Justin Braun, acquired at the trade deadline March 21 from the Flyers, returned to Philadelphia for the first time since he was traded, and the Flyers put a graphic on the video board saying “Welcome back, Brauner.’’ Braun, a righthanded shooter, played his third straight game on the left side of the third defense pair, alongside 20-year-old rookie Braden Schneider. Patrik Nemeth, who is battling with Braun and Schneider to be a part of the third pair when the playoffs open next month, sat out for the third straight game.

Other scratches

The other scratches were forwards Greg McKegg, Julien Gauthier and Jonny Brodzinski, and defenseman Libor Hajek.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.