SUNRISE, Fla. — Kaapo Kakko, for now, is back in the Rangers lineup.
But the winger still wasn’t thrilled Monday when his healthy scratch in Game 2 occurred.
“All the players want to play,” Kakko said. “So, not happy.”
Kakko has yet to record a point in this Eastern Conference final, although he played a role in Alex Wennberg’s overtime winner in Game 3, and has just one goal and one assist in all of these playoffs.
He readily admitted he didn’t play his best game against the Panthers.
But the Finn’s second playoff scratch, after Game 6 of the conference finals in Tampa two years ago, seemed to leave him in stitches — even days after the fact.
Kakko was “not really” given a reason to be left out of the lineup, and when asked about coach Peter Laviolette’s communication with him, he pursed his lips, paused and heaved a sigh.
“It’s part of the game,” Kakko said. “Someone’s not playing.” I guess I can’t say much about it. We just need to win six more games, so I’m not thinking about it.
If there were already a few questions about Kakko’s future with the Rangers, it is now a huge question hanging over the player, who will be a restricted free agent this summer.
If there’s no opportunity for a top-six finish in New York, and if these playoffs ultimately leave a bad taste in his mouth, it’s easy to construct a scenario in which to move on ends up being the best solution for both parties.
Of course, the middle of the Eastern Conference Finals is not the time to ask such questions.
And right now, Kakko’s biggest concern is launching in time to make an impact on the series.
There’s still plenty of time for the former second overall pick to change the narrative.
After generally playing on the ice, if not scoring the puck enough, for much of the playoffs, the third line of itself, Wennberg and Jack Roslovic was yielded for much of Game 3.
It’s also worth noting that Florida looked to take advantage of the last change by playing Aleksander Barkov’s line against the trio when the opportunity presented itself.
“Just put pucks in the O-zone,” Kakko said. “I think across the board we need to do this more. I think it’s all of us. … We just have to get there and maybe we can be a little better.
New York Post
