Kaapo Kakko back in lineup for Rangers, taking spot of injured Jimmy Vesey

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Kaapo Kakko was back in the New York Rangers' lineup for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers on Sunday, replacing injured winger Jimmy Vesey.

It was Kakko's second appearance of the series. Vesey is listed as week-to-week after getting hurt in a collision with Florida's Ryan Lomberg in Game 2 of the series on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Kakko did not play in Game 2, out as a healthy scratch. He had 13 goals and six assists in the regular season, along with one goal and one assist in his first 11 appearances in this year's playoffs entering Sunday.

The Panthers did not make any lineup changes for Game 3.

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) looks to pass the puck against New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff finals, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) passes the puck against New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) during the first period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff finals, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

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