Kaapo Kakko may finally start receiving points in bulk.
But anyone who knows the Finnish winger knows he wants to score goals.
The small but fierce fist pump Kakko gave after scoring the game-winning goal in the Rangers’ 3-1 win over the Stars at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night said it all.
There wasn’t much to celebrate about the 23-year-old’s fifth NHL season. Although he went on injured reserve after 21 games and struggled to make any other appearances, Kakko naturally enjoyed this goal.
It happened during a 4-on-4 play. It came for a goaltender who was having a strong night. I was able to take some beautiful shots.
“The whole team is playing well, and so is our line,” Kakko said. “We’ve been doing good things on the ice and spending time in the O-zone. If you want to score points, that’s the first thing. I thought we were a little bit lucky, but sometimes that’s what you need. ”
At the 7:44 mark of the second period, the Rangers led 1-0, making it 4-on-4 between the teams.
After the home team circled the zone briefly, Kakko aimed the puck past Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood, doubling the Rangers’ lead.
With this goal, Kakko tied his career scoring streak of five games, which he set from Nov. 14 to Nov. 24, 2021.
“This is the best he’s ever looked,” head coach Peter Laviolette said of Kakko before the game. “For me, he’s moving his feet, creating, playing with some attitude and edge. The line was good, but I think he played a big role in propelling that line. Since his return, he seems to have gotten stronger and stronger in the game.”
A deep purple bruise on the top of Ryan Lindgren’s right cheekbone stained the white of his right eye red when the follow-through of Islanders forward Alexander Romanov’s stick made contact with the defenseman’s face Sunday. The injury was only a few centimeters away.
Still, Lindgren returned to the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate and that night’s game.
Like his right eye was swollen and wouldn’t close two nights ago. As if he didn’t spend all Monday cooling off the ice. It looks like it’s made of steel.
“not much [it doesn’t surprise me]” Laviolette said. “It’s different when you know a player and his make-up, his DNA. What’s inside that person and what makes him tick. He’s a warrior out there. We all know that. We’re still going to get a look before we do that, but he certainly looked good in the game. It’s all positive.”
Despite maintaining a calm demeanor about the whole situation, Lindgren required 10 stitches to repair a gash under her eye. As a result, he now has to wear a full face shield.
Lindgren is the fourth Ranger to have to wear the bubble this season, joining Barclay Goodrow, Jimmy Vesey and Erik Gustafsson.
The Hartford Wolfpack has released Artem Anisimov from his professional tryout contract.
Anisimov is two games away from hitting the 1,000 mark in North America between the AHL and NHL.
