Kaapo Kakko will return to the Rangers line-up against the Devils on Saturday after missing the last six games due to a battle with COVID-19.
The 20-year-old winger became Placed on the COVID-19 protocol list for the second time this season. After registering a false positive on the list during his first short stint (he missed the game on February 1), Kakko announced on Friday that he had contracted the coronavirus and therefore his absence was much longer this time.
« I think it’s a little difficult [getting back into shape], » he added. « I was on the ice with the team [Thursday] and [Friday], so it sometimes takes time, but I feel good now. »
After Kakko’s 6-1 win over the Devils on Thursday for trained with the Rangers for the first time, head coach David Quinn said he had gone through the return-to-play protocol and was not eligible.
With another game in Newark on Saturday afternoon, Kakko is expected to be back in second Return row alongside Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome. Before Kakko was put on the COVID-19 protocol list, he had flanked Strome with Alexis Lafreniere, the top 2020 overall winner. But with Lafreniere’s rise to the top line, Kreider will likely be on the left flank by now.
Kakko, Strome and Kreider only spent 3:51 Ice Age together, according to the Natural Stat Trick. However, Kreider’s current hot run of two hat-tricks in the last five games should allow Kakko to regain momentum.
In his last five games before being listed on coronavirus protocols, Kakko has scored a lot Shots on goal and logged more than 17 minutes of ice time each night.
« Yeah, I played well before I got on the list and I think I just try to play like that, » said Kakko. « I think it’s coming, just try to keep playing the same way. That’s it. »
© 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
Terms of Use
Data protection
Your ad choices
Page index
Your California Privacy Rights
Do not sell my personal information
Ref: https://nypost.com
