Kaapo Kakko will return to the Rangers’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Devils after losing the last six games due to a bout with COVID-19.
The 20-year-old was included in the COVID-19 protocol list for the second time this season on February 20th. After registering a false positive during his first brief stage on the list (he missed the game on February 1), Kakko revealed on Friday that he contracted the coronavirus and therefore his absence was much longer this time.
Kakko said after practice that he was “a little sick, but not too bad.”
“I think it’s a little difficult [to get back into game shape], “he added.” I was on the ice with the team [Thursday] i [Friday], so sometimes it takes time, but right now it feels good. “
After Kakko practiced with the Rangers for the first time during the morning skate before Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Devils, head coach David Quinn said he was still following the return protocol to the game and that he wasn’t eligible to compete.
With another game scheduled for Newark for Saturday night, Kakko is expected to enter the second line alongside Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome. Before placing on the COVID-19 protocol list, Kakko had flanked Strome with Alexis Lafreniere, the top scorer of 2020. But with Lafreniere’s rise to the front line, Kreider will likely be on the left wing now.
Kakko, Strome and Kreider have only recorded 3:51 of ice time together, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, Kreider’s current streak of two triples in the last five games should allow Kakko to relax.
In his last five games before entering the coronavirus protocol list, Kakko was generating a lot of shots on goal and recording more than 17 minutes of ice every night.
“Yes, I played very well before [going on the list] and I think I’m just trying to play like that, “Kakko said.” I think it’s coming, just try to keep it [playing] in the same way. This is.”