NHL | Kaapo Kakko returned from the stands to the lineup and initiated Rangers’ overtime goal

New York Rangers won in extra time already in the second game in a row, this time with away goals 5–4. Thus, it leads the NHL Eastern Conference final series against the Florida Panthers with a 2–1 match win.

Finnish pier Kaapo Kakko returned to Rangers’ triple chain after his command of the stands in the previous match. Dropping out of the lineup had sparked speculation that the 2019 second-round pick would have already played his last game at Rangers, where he has not managed to grow into the desired big role in five seasons.

Kako’s transfer to another place during the summer still seems likely, but for now he is chasing the Stanley Cup with his team and this time he was involved in building an overtime goal.

The second tentatively got the second assist point when his chain center forward Alex Wennberg directed by the defender by Ryan Lindgren shot on goal. In reality, after Kako, the puck had been pushed to Lindgren near the blue line by the other end of the chain Jack Roslovic.

Rangers heroes were also two men with two goals.

The overtime decider of the previous match Barclay Goodrow continued in the confusingly large role he had adopted: he controlled his first goal from the air and drove the second into the top corner with an underpowered effort.

Goodrow already has six goals in 13 playoff games, despite scoring just four goals in 80 regular season games — and three of those goals came in the final few weeks of the regular season.

Alexis LafrenièreKako’s teammate from Rangers’ former “junnu chain”, finished first with a through drive from the knuckle to the top corner, then by sailing past four opponents from his own blue line.

Lafrenière, 22, the number one reservation for 2020, is on a much tougher course than Kakko, 23. He is now fulfilling the expectations that Kakko is not.

Even last season, the Finn scored more points than the Canadian (in the regular season Kakko 18+22=40, Lafrenière 16+23=39), but this season Kako’s points tally dwindled to 13+6=19. The injury that took twenty matches in the winter was only a partial explanation.

Lafrenière, on the other hand, has set his points record this season in the regular season (28+29=57) and in the playoffs (so far 6+6=12).

Kako’s playoff catch is only 1+1.

Panthers Finnish captain Alexander Barkov scored the opening goal of the match For Sam Reinhartwho hit a total of twice with overpowering.

Barkov was also towing his team to overtime: he directed Carter Verhaeghen and Niko Mikkolan a 4–3 narrowing of passes, and a Swedish pack Gustav Forsling shot a 4–4 equalizer.

The atmosphere in Florida after the success of the home team Kir was intoxicating.

But in overtime, Kako’s chain silenced the crowd.