Blackhawks Centerman Braces for Payback: "Whatever Has to Come" After Chytil Injury

It was the hit that most likely derailed the Vancouver Canucks' playoff run last season, and it need not have had to happen.

On March 15, in a 6-2 victory against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver was holding on to a tenuous playoff position.

During a game that was already lost for Chicago, with five minutes remaining, ex-Canuck Jason Dickinson chopped Filip Chytil from behind into the boards.

Chytil's face went into the glass, and subsequently, he received a concussion diagnosis, his fifth of his short NHL career.

Despite scoring only two goals and six points through his first 15 games with Vancouver, Chytil was one of their stars. He paced his team in even-strength shots per 60 and expected goals per 60 by a wide margin.

Following the setback, the Canucks lost three of their subsequent four. In the third loss of the set, Elias Pettersson went down for the season with an injury. Those misses thrust Pius Suter into top-line center duties.

Despite his rising to the challenge, the Pettersson and Chytil losses really damaged Vancouver's chances at making the playoffs.

As the Canucks head to Chicago this Friday, the question is: will there be retribution? There were rumors that Derek Forbort responded to Dickinson following the hit and challenged him to a fight, but Dickinson did not welcome it.

This time, however, Forbort will not be there because he's still on injured reserve. Dickinson knows there could be payback tonight, and he's ready for whatever comes his way.

Luckily enough, Chytil recovered fully. He's off to a great start this season, tied for the team lead in goals along with Kiefer Sherwood at three in four games.

With feelings still attached to the low point of last season, Friday's contest could be something more than an ordinary early-season game. The Canucks have not forgotten, and neither have the fans.