Kaapo Kakko woke up Sunday morning and saw his name next to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on his lineup card.
In his first game back after missing 21 games on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury, the Finnish winger was handed a top-six spot after losing his first 11 games of the season.
The Rangers were in a four-game slump before Sunday's 2-1 win over the Capitals and needed a lifeline, and Kakko was put in position to help.
“It felt good,” said Kakko, who achieved the win with two shots on goal and two hits in 16 minutes and 04 seconds on the ice. “Obviously, we knew there would be more ice time.” [than] I got it before I got hurt. That was a good thing. That was a pleasure. It was good to win too. So I hope we can continue to play with them in the next games and get even better.
“They're great players, so [I] We have to be better. ”
According to head coach Peter Laviolette, the 22-year-old was not placed with any restrictions or on-ice time restrictions.
As a result of Kakko's return, Anton Blayde, who made his season debut with Washington and debut with the Rangers on Saturday, returned to AHL Hartford.
Kakko had only two goals and one assist in 20 games before being injured Nov. 27 when he collided with Sabers defenseman Eric Johnson in the corner and fell awkwardly along the boards, but the Rangers had two goals and one assist. He was called up to the AHL twice for the game. Lineup for the past 5 games.
In need of a new NHL-caliber forward, the Rangers brought Kakko back in time to help the club end a season-high four-game losing streak.
Laviolette noted that Kakko started the season on the right wing alongside Zibanejad and Kreider and put up decent numbers.
The only thing missing was results, he said.
“I think he had a very positive time,” Laviolette said of Kakko after the game. “Just talking to him made me feel good. I thought he was a contributor offensively and he had some chances to score and that's what I'd like to see. Opportunities and possibilities. , both will eventually fall on him, so he can create there.”
The NHL announced Sunday that Laviolette will serve as one of two Eastern Conference head coaches during All-Star Weekend in Toronto.
Laviolette was selected to represent the East along with Jim Montgomery of the Bruins, while Rick Bowness of the Jets and Rick Tocchet of the Canucks were selected to represent the West.
Head coaches will be chosen from the teams with the highest scoring percentages in each of the four divisions by January 13, the midpoint of the regular season, to lead four All-Star rosters.
This will be the fourth time Laviolette, 59, will be participating in All-Star Weekend as a head coach, following in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
This is the most of any active head coach in the NHL.
Laviolette is in his first year with the Rangers and has led them to a 26-13-2 record.
