Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko protects the puck from Detroit Red Wings left wing Brendan Perlini in the first period on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Detroit. Credit: AP/Paul Sancya
Kaapo Kakko, the 18-year-old who was the No. 2 pick overall in last summer’s draft, found himself on the fourth line to start the game, playing with Brett Howden and center Greg McKegg. Phillip DiGiuseppe took Kakko’s place on the third line with Filip Chytil and Brendan Lemieux.
At the morning skate, coach David Quinn seemed almost annoyed by a question about Kakko, who seemed to have been playing more assertively of late.