The Vancouver Canucks announced that forward Filip Chytil will not return for the third period against the Utah Mammoth.

Chytil did not play the final four minutes of the middle frame. It’s unclear what happened to the centreman on the final shift that had him not join his teammates for the final 20 minutes. Chytil did not appear to be grimacing in pain on the play.

Chytil had recently returned from a head injury that kept him out of the lineup from Game 6 to Game 51 of the season. The Kromeriz, Czechia native scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal early in the third period. He would add just one more goal over the following five games to bring his tally to three goals and zero assists heading into Game 6 against the Washington Capitals.

As the Canucks got out to a three-goal, first period lead, Chytil was caught up with a late, hard hit from Capitals power forward Tom Wilson. Chytil needed help off the ice and went on to miss the following 45 games. Wilson was not penalized or suspended for the hit.

The 26-year-old forward made his return on January 23 against the New Jersey Devils. He started on a line centring Drew O’Connor and Brock Boeser, and logged 18:29 minutes of ice time. Chytil remained down the middle of the ice for the following two games before transitioning to the wing, playing with David Kämpf and Linus Karlsson.

Since returning from injury, Chytil has been held off the scoresheet and logged nine shots on goal. His minus-three rating on Monday night brought his plus/minus rating to minus-seven in those six games. If Chytil is to miss that game, expect Aatu Räty to re-enter the Canucks lineup on Wednesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, in what is the Canucks’ final game before the NHL Olympic break.

Stay tuned to CanucksArmy for an update from Head Coach Adam Foote on Filip Chytil’s status when one becomes available.

UPDATE:

The Athletic’s Thomas Drance asked Foote postgame for an update on Chytil: