It's Kaapo Kakko Time
Jared Silber. Getty Images.It's been about as rough a start for Kaapo Kakko as Rangers fans could have imagined after a couple Covid-shortened seasons. As a matter of fact, no top-2 drafted forward over the last decade produced at as poorly a rate as Kakko's anemic 40 points in 114 games. Not Patrick. Not Kotkaniemi. Not Yakupov. No one. Coming into this season though, his first "legitmate" one as a pro, there were makings of a perfect storm. He's gotten plenty of games under his belt. He improved dramatically without the puck last year. There's a new coach in town and an all-but-promised top-six opportunity all season long. The 20 year-old Finn certainly wasn't taking advantage right out of the gates though before an injury sidelined him for a bit. Slowly though over the last few games he's inching towards the offensive breakout anyone with an attachment to the Blueshirts has been patiently waiting for.
In last week's win over the Panthers, Kakko helped set up a tally that ended up not counting (goaltender interference) displaying poise and patience with the puck around the net. Saturday night, in a victory against Columbus, he made a key defensive play along the boards in the defensive zone to help spring an odd-man rush the other way for the Rangers first goal. Still, #24 went into last night's tilt vs the Devils with goose eggs over ten games. That changed.
Kaapo Kakko skated 20 minutes for the first time in his career. He racked up his first point of the year by setting up a Lafreniere goal just as a powerplay expired that gave his squad a lead. After NJ tied it up again, Kakko wasn't about that assist life anymore. This time the kid took over with a highlight reel goal started by his own defensive acumen in the neutral zone to take a third-period lead:
Pick the pocket ☑️
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 15, 2021
Put it home ☑️ pic.twitter.com/vKhoMnnQTO
And if that wasn't enough, Gallant called on Kakko to answer a Jesper Bratt shootout finish before Kreider would eventually pot the winner (and walk it off with a PK Slew-bban mock celly). The kid delivered:
Kaapo Kakko in the shootout ✔️ pic.twitter.com/lz8F14NITK
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 15, 2021
His coach called him a beast in the postgame presser and that's exactly what Kakko looked like. Now it's a simple question of whether or not this is another blip or if the Rangers 2019 second-overall pick has finally arrived and is here to stay. His confidence should be through the roof right now. Kakko wasn't along for the ride last night - he drove the bus and led his team to a big division win and an outstanding 9-3-3 record. Over the next week the Blueshirts aren't exactly facing any defensive juggernauts (MON, TOR, OTT, BUF). Everything's lined up for the kid to catch fire and never look back. It's finally here boys & girls.
It's Kaapo Kakko Time.