Kaapo Kakko has taken the New York Rangers fanbase by storm, and now, he’s made it on the official NHL score sheet.
Kaapo Kakko has finally found the score sheet.
In just the third game of his NHL career, the 18-year-old second-overall pick brought Madison Square Garden to its feet with a dazzling goal against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kakko was able to get by two defenders at the blue line and took a Ryan Strome pass for a one-on-one situation against Oilers goaltender Mike Smith.
A quick deke had the veteran goaltender beat for the first for young Mr. Kakko and a New York Rangers 1-0 lead.
Kappo Kakko tallies his first NHL goal. (What a job by Strome.) 1-0 Rangers. #PlayLikeANewYorker pic.twitter.com/F9Ss6RJXnP
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 12, 2019
Kakko came into the year as perhaps the most NHL-ready player of the draft, but took a couple of games for him to get settled in. He’s shown flashes in those two games and now has the goal to show all of the hard work.
The goal brought louder than normal cheer from the Garden faithful, showing the excitement Kakko has brought to this organization in such a short time.
Not only did the crowd rally behind Kakko, but the entire Ranger bench saw a level of enthusiasm with the future of this franchise contributing now.
The boys were fired up for Kakko pic.twitter.com/v8MSF2EW3f
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) October 12, 2019
It looks like the Rangers are going to have lean a little more on Kakko with the first-period injury to Chris Kreider. Their’s no word on the status of Kreider, leaving Kakko’s play important moving forward for the Blueshirts.
The Rangers lead the Oilers 1-0 through one period of play.