Welcome back, Kaapo Kakko.
With Jimmy Vesey week to week for the Rangers with an upper-body injury suffered Friday, Kakko returned to the Game 3 lineup Sunday afternoon against the Panthers after he was a healthy scratch in Game 2.
Blake Wheeler was another option, but remained out. He hasn’t been active since suffering a a lower-body injury on Feb. 15.
The 23-year-old Kakko has produced two points in 11 playoff games after notching 19 points in 61 regular-season games.
Kakko warmed up on the third line, to the right of center Alex Wennberg and with Jack Roslovic. Will Cuylle was dropped to the fourth line.
The Rangers and Panthers are tied at 1-1 in this Eastern Conference Final series after Barclay Goodrow’s overtime goal won it for the Blueshirts on Friday..
