Kaapo Kakko will return to the Rangers line-up for Saturday’s game against the Devils after missing the past six games due to a fight with COVID-19.
The 20-year-old winger was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list for the second time this season on February 20. After registering a false positive during his first short stint on the list (he missed the February 1 match), Kakko revealed on Friday that he has contracted the coronavirus and therefore his absence was much longer this time.
Kakko said after training that he was “a little sick, but not too bad”.
‘I find it a bit difficult [to get back into game shape], “he added.” I was on the ice with the team [Thursday] and [Friday], so sometimes it takes time, but now you feel good. “
After Kakko trained with the Rangers for the first time on the morning skate ahead of Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Devils, head coach David Quinn said he was still working on the return-to-play protocol and not was eligible to participate.
With a new game scheduled for Saturday night in Newark, Kakko is expected to fit second row again alongside Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome. Before being placed on the COVID-19 protocol list, Kakko had flanked Strome with Alexis Lafreniere, the top pick of 2020. But with Lafreniere’s promotion to the top line, Kreider will likely be on the left wing now.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Kakko, Strome, and Kreider only recorded a 3:51 ice age together. However, Kreider’s current hot streak of two hat-tricks over the past five games should allow Kakko to get back on track.
In his last five games before getting on the coronavirus protocol list, Kakko generated a ton of shots on target, recording more than 17 minutes of ice time every night.
“Yes, I have played well before [going on the list] and I guess just try to play like that, ”said Kakko. ‘I think it’s coming, just try to keep it [playing] the same way. That is it.”