Rangers' Kaapo Kakko exits with lower-body injury

The New York Rangers lost forward Kaapo Kakko to a lower-body injury on Monday in the second period of a game against the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

Kakko was going for a loose puck behind the Sabres' net when he was hit by Buffalo defenseman Erik Johnson with about five minutes left in the second period. He appeared to get his left leg caught on the ice and his knee seemed to take the brunt of the hit.

Kakko, 22, was examined by New York's medical staff and helped off the ice by two teammates. The Rangers announced he was not returning at the start of the third period.

The second overall pick of the 2019 draft, Kakko has two goals and three points in 20 games this year. Last season, he set career highs with 18 goals and 40 points while appearing in all 82 games for the first time in his career.