Kappo Kakko may not have seen a jump in his numbers that he would have liked, but the 20-year-old winger has no doubt that his overall game has improved.
Those are the stats where the forward likes to evaluate himself, and even though he did his totals with a 6-3 loss to the Capitals on Monday, Kakoko has made it clear that he had high expectations from himself. However, he appears to address the fact that his confidence has improved, as well as his understanding of how crime arises in the NHL.
“I think I’m a lot better than last season,” he said. “It is not that many points, certainly everyone, like me, I want to score some goals and get some points. [I didn’t] There is a lot this season, but I think my game is getting a lot better than last season. “
In the second period, Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere raced two-on-one. Lafernier managed to dish out the puck around a diving Zadeno four before Capo burst the dumplings for a Capitals netminder Vitek Vancek and a 3–2 lead. It was his ninth goal of the season, bringing his total to 17.
Kakko is in his second NHL season, having over 100 games experience. Considering this season to be short due to an epidemic, Kako did not have enough opportunities to draw conclusions about his overall game.
The fact is, Quinn entrusts Kakoko with a handful of halves in the second line, where at the end of the season he begins to find a groove with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome. They continue to explore what its size and strength can be in muddy snow areas and how to take advantage of it.
Kako, the No. 2-overall pick in 2019, specifically noted his plus-minus difference this season (plus-four) from the previous season (minus 26). He has become more reliable in the defensive zone and has the numbers to back it up. Last season, Kakko had a dangerous 3.14 expected target against him. Now, it is below 1.89.
“I think he has made a lot of progress this year, his all-around game has definitely improved, defensively as well,” head coach David Quinn said Monday night. “Their wall play has improved, and it is a difficult league to develop in, but they have done a good job.”
Young Sweed also admitted that he feels more comfortable in his second year, and being around so many players has also helped his age.
Goeli Igor Shastrin made his fourth start in the last five matches against Washington on Monday. The 25-year-old made 34 saves in his loss.
Chris Kreider (lower body), Jacob Trouba (upper body) and Ryan Lindgren (upper body) are all still “day to day”. The three did not play Monday.
Trouba, who is set to create a ruckus on April 20 after being leveled by Matt Martin forward Matt Martin, lost his seventh game. Kreider missed his third, while Lindgren was ruled out for the second straight bout.
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