Kakko will play for the first time since February 18th and is expected to skate on the second line with Ryan Strome and Chris Kreider. Kakko has scored two goals with one assist in 14 games this season.
Kakko was recently activated off of the COVID-19 reserve list but will not return to the lineup Thursday in New Jersey. Head coach David Quinn said he's "certainly close" so look for him to play Saturday.
A couple of days after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list, Kakko was on the ice for practice on Wednesday and is expected to play on Thursday. This suggests that Kakko had a false positive test, which is great news for the Rangers, who are already without Filip Chytil and Colin Blackwell. Kakko skated on a line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome in Wednesday's practice.
Kakko missed the final two games before the break but is expected to be back on the third line on Friday. Kakko has scored six goals with eight assists (14 points) in 32 games this season.
With Kakko unavailable for the Ducks, Michael Haley will draw back into the Rangers lineup on Sunday afternoon. Kakko's injury is not believed to be serious but it puts him in jeopardy of missing Monday's game in Philadelphia as well.
Kakko missed the last games with an illness but will play Wednesday vs. the Capitals. Kakko was starting to heat up before falling ill, scoring three goals in his last two games and five in his last seven.
Kakko was a late-scratch in Tampa Bay on Thursday but could play Saturday in Florida. Kakko's return to the lineup would be a welcome sight for the Rangers because the rookie has heated up, scoring five goals in his last seven games.
