Ryan Strome returned to the lineup Monday for the Rangers, after missing four games while on COVID-19 protocol, but Kaapo Kakko, who had missed the final three-and-two-thirds games with an upper-body injury and was eligible to come off injured reserve on Sunday, did not.
Kakko was injured in the first period of the Rangers’ 3-1 win over Montreal Oct. 16 and placed on IR the following day. He skated for the first time at the morning skate Thursday in Nashville. He practiced with the team Sunday, wearing a red, no-contact jersey, and coach Gerard Gallant said he’ll be back soon.