Rangers’ prized prospects are even more excited than you are

It’s already been a year of huge adjustments for two of the Rangers’ brightest prospects, but this was the biggest jump of all.

The rebuilding Blueshirts were getting a glimpse at their future as both first-round picks from this most recent draft, centers Lias Andersson (No. 7 overall) and Filip Chytil (No. 21), were set to be in the lineup Monday night for a Garden match against the Capitals. It would be the NHL debut for the 19-year-old Andersson and the third game for the 18-year-old Chytil, who had made the team out of training camp and played two games before being sent down to AHL Hartford on Oct. 10.

Both teenagers have had to do a lot of work to adjust to the North American game, with a smaller ice surface and more physicality, as well as adjust to living in a foreign country. But both were ecstatic to be living out their dreams in the best league in the world.

“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” Andersson said before the game, “so I’m very excited.”

General manager Jeff Gorton decided to call both players up at the same time Sunday with seven games remaining in the regular season despite the fact Andersson could have played nine games without burning the first year of his entry-level deal. But it didn’t really bother Andersson, whose competitiveness was exemplified after the Swedish team he captained in the World Junior Championships in early January lost in the final, and he tossed his silver medal to a fan.

“It’s not easy to make the NHL,” said Andersson, who was set to start on a line with Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner. “I’m just 19 years old. Still in my junior age. Obviously I want to be up as fast as I can. But I have no stress. I’m just happy I’m here right now.”

Andersson started the season playing for his club team in Sweden, Frolunda, and after he suffered a shoulder injury that he played through in the World Juniors, he came to New York for rehab. Rather than returning to Sweden when he could play again, he went to Hartford, where he scored five goals and 14 points in 24 games for the Wolf Pack.

“I think it was good for me to be down in Hartford and learn the North American-style game — be stronger on the boards and be strong on the pucks,” he said. “It’s little bit of a different game over here than Sweden, so I think it was good for me.”

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That was a sentiment echoed by Chytil, who pushed to stay over here rather than go back to his junior team in his native Czech Republic once the Rangers saw he was overwhelmed in his two-game cameo. Chytil then excelled at Hartford, putting up 11 goals and 31 points in 45 games.

“I wanted to be [in Hartford] because [it is] one step to NHL,” Chytil said. “If I was to go back to Czech Republic, I would have to wait for next season to be here. So I’m glad that I stayed here. I learned English, the language, I live here alone away from my family. So I think everything was better.”

Chytil fondly remembered those first two games he played, but thought that during his time in Hartford he “improved in everything.” He would be rewarded by centering a line between Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.

“It was a dream come true playing in the NHL at 18 years [old], it’s something special,” Chytil said. “I enjoyed every minute, every shift. I think I’m more ready than before.”

When Chytil was here last, it was a very different team — one loaded with veterans and an organization not yet fully committed to a rebuild. Now the promotion of two teenagers made for the most interesting game the team had played in months, and the hope is it would show a bright future.

“It’s a dream come true,” Chytil said. “It’s a great feeling to be back in Madison Square Garden.”