Filip Chytil sent to Rangers bench because play ‘has slipped’

BUFFALO — Being 19 years old and a talented first-round draft selection doesn’t get you a pass. Not for an indefinite period of time, that is. Not with David Quinn behind the bench.

As such, the coach handed Filip Chytil the short straw for Friday’s match, scratching him against the Sabres while inserting AHL call-up Connor Brickley in No. 72’s spot up front and going with the now customary seven defensemen.

No, this was most certainly not a case of the Rangers dressing their best 18 players.

“I think Fil’s play has slipped a little bit,” the coach said before the Blueshirts’ 6-2 victory. “One of the things all young players have to learn is how to consistently compete, be hard on pucks and give an effort in all three zones. Fil was doing a real good job of that [but] I think that’s slipped a little bit. It’s part of development and learning lessons.”

Chytil, who has recorded 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 55 games, had been scratched once before, Dec. 31 in St. Louis. He was dropped to the fourth line during Tuesday’s 4-3 defeat in Winnipeg and finished with a season-low 6:20 of ice time after being nailed to the bench for the final 12:00.

“It’s been steadily,” Quinn said of Chytil’s decline. “There have been conversations. This should not be a surprise to him.This is something we’ve talked to him about. I think it was certainly warranted.”

Brickley, meanwhile, obtained last month from the Nashville organization in a minor-league trade for Cole Schneider, made an impact in his Blueshirts debut, contributing to the team’s first goal while playing hard-edged hockey in 8:23 of ice time.

The winger, who turns 27 on Feb. 25, had played 67 games for the Panthers following his second-round, 50th-overall selection by Florida in the 2010 entry draft.

“Obviously he’s got some experience in the league so he won’t have those NHL first-game butterflies that most guys have,” Quinn said. “But I’m sure it will be a little bit exciting and nerve-wracking for him.”

Vladislav Namestnikov scored twice in the final 3:53 to break a 23-game schneid. He tapped his first into an empty net after goaltender Linus Ullmark was trapped below the goal line following a puck-handling mishap and then put his second into an empty net after the goaltender was pulled.

“A huge relief,” said No. 90, who assisted on the 2-0 goal when his rocket from above the left circle was deflected home by Jesper Fast at 14:03 of the first period. “The main thing is to keep playing the right way. If you play the right way, goals will come.” The second one was a bonus.”

The Blueshirts are in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon before finishing this trip at Carolina on Tuesday.