#Kaapo Kakko could have extended Rangers absence after going on IR

Head coach Gerard Gallant indicated that the Rangers could be without Kaapo Kakko for quite some time as the Finnish winger battles an undisclosed upper-body injury that has apparently been lingering.

After he was a late scratch despite taking warmups prior to Saturday’s win over the Coyotes, Kakko was officially put on injured reserve on Monday and is considered “week-to-week,” according to Gallant.

“Kaapo is not going to play for a little bit here,” the coach said before the Rangers hosted the Kings Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

It sounded like Filip Chytil, who suffered a lower-body injury and missed the final two periods Saturday, wouldn’t be out as long as Kakko. Chytil is labeled as “day-to-day” and is out for the Rangers’ matchup with Los Angeles.

Forward Morgan Barron was recalled from the taxi squad Monday, while defenseman Jarred Tinordi took the Cornell product’s place on the reserve unit.

Gallant said he had considered rolling with 11 forwards and seven defenseman, while reverting to the line rotations he utilized when Chytil went down on Saturday. The coach seemed to be pleased with how Kevin Rooney double shifted between the third and fourth lines.

“Well if you got somebody banged up back there,” Gallant said of the benefits of playing seven defenseman. “That’s what we think about all the time. I like playing six D, [assistant coach Gord] Murphy likes playing six D. But if you got somebody banged up, you’re not sure, then you play seven D.

“The three lines worked pretty good the other night, that rotation. Can’t do that all year, obviously you’ll tire your players out, so short-term stuff.”

Chris Kreider was named as the NHL’s first star of the week on Monday after posting five goals and two assists for seven points in the previous three games.

Riding a five-game goal streak into Monday’s game, Kreider also ranked first in power-play goals (14), third in man-advantage points (20), 10th in shooting percentage (22.1%) and 16th in points (42) in the entire NHL.

“I think just this year, he’s been playing to his strengths a lot more,” linemate Mika Zibanejad said. “A lot more consistent, too. I feel like he’s – it’s weird to say, what is he, 30? Just for him, even at that age, I feel like he’s getting better. It might not be the coolest role or the ones you see one Instagram or YouTube and all that stuff, but the stuff he does, he does better than anyone else I feel like.

“He’s really taken a lot of pride in that. Everything that he’s doing right now, really well deserved for the work he puts in.”

The Rangers recalled goalie Adam Huska from AHL Hartford to the taxi squad. Additionally, assistant coach Gord Murphy cleared COVID-19 protocol.