The Rangers are 12 points behind the New Jersey Devils for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"It's the first opportunity for all of us to see them at the NHL level in a while," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "I'm sure they're excited and it should be fun."
Andersson, a Swede who was the No. 7 pick in the draft, will be making his NHL debut. He started the season playing 22 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League before he was brought to Hartford, where he had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 24 games.
Chytil, the No. 21 pick, is from the Czech Republic and will be playing his third NHL game. He appeared in the Rangers' first two games of the season (no points, minus-2 rating) before he was sent to Hartford, where he had 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 45 games.
"I think I'm more ready than before," Chytil said.
The Rangers have been waiting to bring both players to New York since they announced they were going into rebuilding mode Feb. 8. They did it now, with seven games remaining on the schedule, because it guarantees Andersson and Chytil will still have three years remaining on their entry-level contracts even after this season is over.
A player on an entry-level contract can play a maximum of nine NHL games before he burns a year of his contract. Andersson could have been recalled earlier since he hasn't played in any NHL games, but Vigneault said Gorton wanted the rookies to come to New York together.
"I think this team has a bright future with all the young guys coming up," Andersson said. "I don't feel any pressure, I'm just very excited for the future."
Andersson and Chytil each said playing for Hartford has been important in their development, specifically because it helped them get used to the North American-style game and the smaller ice surface used here.
They grew up playing on the international rink, which is 200-by-100-feet. NHL rinks are 200-by-85.
"It's a little bit different game here than I am used to in Sweden," Andersson said.
Chytil will center the second line between Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes. Andersson will center the third line between Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner.
"It's a great feeling to be back in Madison Square Garden," Chytil said.
