The New York Rangers second-overall pick from the 2019 draft, Kaapo Kakko, had a big day in the Traverse City Tournament.
Don’t look now, but Kaapo Kakko sizzled in his New York Rangers debut.
On Monday afternoon in the Traverse City Tournament, the Blueshirts defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 after the second overall pick of this year’s draft had an incredible performance. Kakko put up four points including the game-winning goal in overtime.
Kaapo Kakko wins it in OT by himself. pic.twitter.com/1tej5nuenL
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) September 9, 2019
To make the goal all the more impressive, Kakko displayed a tremendous amount of skill. The Finland native’s goal was scored unassisted after skating circles around the Wild prospects, finishing it up on a wrap-around.
Kakko had factored in all four Ranger goals in Monday’s game. His first point was a secondary assist to Karl Henriksson, who then dished it to Vitali Kravtsov to pull the Rangers within one early in the third period. Kakko connected with Kravtsov again on the powerplay to tie the game at two.
Minnesota grabbed the lead right back, but these young Blueshirts were clutch late in the third period. With 1:39 left in regulation time, Patrick Newell scored the tying goal on an assist from Kakko, which forced the game into overtime, setting up Kakko to be the hero in the three-on-three.
Monday’s game was Kakko’s debut with the Rangers after he missed the first two games battling an illness. This game brings the Rangers record to 2-1 on the tournament. They fell 6-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and defeated the Dallas Stars 7-4 on Saturday.
The Rangers will be back in action tomorrow in the final day of the Traverse City Tournament. The Blueshirts are awaiting the results of the Chicago Blackhawks versus the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings, to find out which game they’ll be playing in.
