New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko has returned to the lineup after missing 21 games due to a lower-body injury sustained on November 27. Head coach Peter Laviolette confirmed that Kakko has been practicing without restrictions, changing from a non-contact to a full-contact jersey, and is now considered day-to-day. Despite taking a hit in practice and responding well, Kakko was held out of the lineup for a previous game but made his comeback against the Washington Capitals. He started on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider and received a round of applause from the fans at Madison Square Garden. Laviolette mentioned that there would be a ramp-up period for Kakko upon his return to the games, suggesting a cautious approach to his reintegration. His return is timely as the Rangers have been struggling with their performance lately.
A cheery Kaapo Kakko on his first game back from injury: "I’ve been working out a lot, and hard. I feel it doesn’t matter how much you do that. You still feel a little tired the first game. Not the best game but not bad also. I’m happy.” #NYR
#NYR Kaapo Kakko on playing with Zibanejad/Kreider in first game back: “It felt good. I woke up this morning and I saw the lines. Of course, I knew it was going to be more ice time [than] I got before I got hurt. That was a good thing. I was happy about that. Good win, also...
Nice big round of applause from MSG for Kaapo Kakko as he's introduced as a #NYR starter
Big hand for Kaapo Kakko as he's introduced at MSG. He's in the starting lineup this afternoon. #NYR
"Whatever the game brings his way [Kakko] is in a good spot to handle it" Peter Laviolette talks about Kaapo Kakko's return to the #Rangers lineup today and assesses the season and last night's loss to Washington https://t.co/rncRR30o4u https://t.co/3KkacF5Wr8
Finally got to MSG. Kaapo Kakko is back for the Rangers and on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Kakko is on top line for #NYR in his return to lineup after a 21-game absence.
Kaapo Kakko taking warm ups for the #NYR after missing 21 games due to a lower-body injury on Nov.27. @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/AeeV0SBfTG
Kakko is on the MSG ice for warmups, with no Anton Blidh. He's the one coming out. #NYR will start Igor Shesterkin, while the Caps will counter with Charlie Lindgren starting for the second consecutive day.
Ready for a rematch. @NYRangers vs. @Capitals Kaapo Kakko returns after 21 games as #NYR look to stop the losing skid https://t.co/Hoh5usttcH
NYR head coach Peter Laviolette said Kaapo Kakko returns today vs WASH
Kaapo Kakko set to return to #NYR lineup today ⬇️ https://t.co/PgHESKyPZR via @nypostsports
Kaapo Kakko will return to action this afternoon after missing 21 games with a lower-body injury - at a time when the reeling Rangers could really use a boost. Here's the latest #NYR 👇https://t.co/JK45iPwKyN
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette on Kaapo Kakko: “You miss everything a little bit when it comes to Kakko. He protects the puck really well in the offensive zone. He’s big. He’s strong. He’s young. He’s fast. He’s capable defensively, certainly capable offensively. You lose a...
BREAKING: Kakko returns to #NYR lineup Sunday against Capitals @TheHockeyNews ⤵️ https://t.co/6qT9YetVKv
Per @MollieeWalkerr, Kaapo Kakko returns to #NYR lineup today vs. #ALLCAPS after missing 21 games: https://t.co/tDN1y8XlzH https://t.co/tDN1y8XlzH
Kaapo Kakko will play today vs. WSH, per #NYR HC Peter Laviolette.
Kakko is in today, Laviolette says.
Kakko in today #NYR
#NYR Kaapo Kakko will play today vs. Capitals, per coach Peter Laviolette.
Laviolette said at practice this week there would be a "ramp-up period" for Kakko, which is why it seemed unrealistic they would ask him to play back-to-backs this weekend. Tomorrow is possible, but safer bet would be sometime this week. (Perhaps Tues vs. SEA as the target?) #NYR https://t.co/NLEcCMf4KE
#NYR Kaapo Kakko will NOT play tonight. Peter Laviolette wouldn’t say anything about tomorrow’s rematch at home.
#NYR Peter Laviolette says Kaapo Kakko continues to be day-to-day despite practicing without restrictions & Braden Schneider, Adam Fox on the tough schedule ahead https://t.co/jgpmvmbPQX
Kaapo Kakko is inching closer to a return, but what exactly will that mean for a #NYR lineup that's hit a rut recently? And what other moves should Peter Laviolette consider? Full breakdown here 👇https://t.co/Fggtt27JYs
Peter Laviolette said he considers Kaapo Kakko day-to-day at this point. He also said recent call up Jake Leschyshyn will be in the lineup tomorrow. #NYR https://t.co/aRUghXsaYG
Here’s Kakko taking a hit along the boards. Seemed to respond just fine. #NYR https://t.co/ERC4GmupUV
Although #NYR Kaapo Kakko is still on the IR he is practicing in a navy jersey today, signifying a return soon. THE LATEST @TheHockeyNews ⤵️ https://t.co/5gMosPuNvL
Although still on IR as of right now, F Kaapo Kakko was a full participant at #NYR practice @mugnoma @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/ih17mZHrEE https://t.co/ih17mZHrEE
On Kakko's return date and usage, Laviolette said: "There's going to be a process for him when he does come back, when he is cleared, when he does get into games. There might be a ramp-up period. He's been out for a little bit. We’ll see how many practices he gets." #NYR
Greetings from Greenburgh, where the #NYR are practicing, and Kaapo Kakko is no longer in a red jersey. https://t.co/yj0ELHhjmq
Practice is starting with work in one of the areas where the #NYR have struggled recently — breakouts. Kakko takes a shift here in his yellow jersey. https://t.co/7i3hYA1JoA
Kaapo Kakko has been out since Nov. 27, but he's been ramping up over the last few days and according to coach Peter Laviolette, he'll probably be back to full-contact practice very soon. https://t.co/1AXY5DuZAC
Laviolette says Kakko is pretty close to switching out of the non-contact jersey. #NYR https://t.co/h5WZygigyg
Kaapo Kakko is close to shedding his non-contact jersey, Peter Laviolette said. There weren’t many restrictions on him today at morning skate.
Lavi said that Kakko had “no real restrictions” at today’s skate and is close to “changing jersey colors,” meaning practicing in full contact. #NYR