Blue Line Station
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New York Rangers: Big-boy hockey, other takeaways from Blues loss

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Oskar Sundqvist #70 of the St. Louis Blues and Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers battle for the puck during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Oskar Sundqvist #70 of the St. Louis Blues and Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers battle for the puck during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 30: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers takes the puck in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on November 30, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 30: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers takes the puck in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on November 30, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Kakko Time

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

Yes, we are coining a phrase from Spiderman but it seems quite apt given that this section is dedicated to Kaapo Kakko.

After all, there were high expectations surrounding the Finnish phenom when he was taken with the 2nd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, as there was with Jack Hughes, the 1st overall selection.

However, this year has been a more than disappointing rookie season for Kakko who has suffered his fair share of growing pains.

We won’t pile on because it is clear that Kakko has a very bright future in the NHL and, let’s not forget, he is only 19-years-old and is trying to adapt to a new country and to a new way of doing things.

While eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points with a plus/minus rating of -23 isn’t ideal, Kakko will only benefit from this season in the long-term.

With only two goals in 46 games since Nov. 20, Kakko has gotten used to life on the third-line while getting some time on the second power play unit.

However, with the end of the regular season in sight and the Rangers’ playoff hopes still alive, it is time to give Kakko one more chance to truly break out this year.

With Chris Kreider out four-to-six weeks, the Blueshirts need to add another offensive punch to their top six.

While Phil DiGiuseppe has been solid this year, he is not the answer and the fact that the Rangers have failed to score a goal at even-strength in the two games they have played without Kreider suggests that something needs to be done.

With the game tied on Tuesday, the Rangers could have done with a real spark and maybe Kakko could have provided that from a top-six role.

He has shown flashes of his brilliance this year and with every game now a must-win, it is time to throw caution to the wind and give Kakko the opportunity to really rise to the occasion and show everyone what he is really capable of.

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