The right wing slot on the Rangers’ first line has been a revolving door in recent years. Last year alone, the Blueshirts had stretches when Alexis Lafreniere, Barclay Goodrow, Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko all played there before settling on Frank Vatrano down the stretch, a combination they kept into the postseason. Go further down on the page and you will see short stretches when Dryden Hunt, Sammy Blais and Julian Gauthier got turns up top as well.

There was not an obvious candidate to play there heading into this season, and it was not clear how long Kakko would stick when Gerard Gallant put him there to start the season. Now, it seems as though the Rangers might be able to ride this trio for some time, as Kakko — four months after being a healthy scratch in the decisive Game 6 against the Lightning — looks to have totally regained himself.

Through four games, Kakko has scored twice, including once against the Ducks on Monday night. He’s made an impact below the hash marks and with his skill. The numbers over 40:48 that he, Zibanejad and Kreider have played together at even strength, per Natural Stat Trick, read as follows: 39 scoring chances, 22 against, 34 shots to 21, a Corsi For percentage of 64.84.

So, this seems to be working.

“I think last game was our best,” Kakko said Wednesday, a day prior to Thursday night’s match against the Sharks. “I haven’t been playing with them that many games yet. I think every game I know a little more about those guys.”

Kakko feels the trio still has room to grow in the offensive zone as they learn to read off each other. He doesn’t see much difference in his own game compared to the playoffs, but his confidence has gotten a boost.

“During the summer, I’ve been working out really hard,” Kakko said. “I think that helps [confidence] a lot also, and then preseason games I think I played good.”

Through the very early stretch of the regular season, he is playing like a former No. 2-overall pick. That is no small deal to the Rangers, who needed the Kids — Kakko very much included — to take the next step forward.

“I think the way he can hold onto pucks, the way he makes plays,” Zibanejad said when asked what makes Kakko fit with him and Kreider. “He’s so strong on the puck, too. We’re not gonna be just off-the-rush chances and pretty much one and done. Get that chemistry with them, with him and Kreids, usually down low. Again, the way he holds onto pucks — not just holds onto the puck for no reason, I think he opens everything up when he does that.”

Kakko’s confidence is something Zibanejad has taken notice of as well.

“I think it just keeps growing the more games he plays,” Zibanejad said. “The way he plays, the way he sees results from his game and just, I think there’s gotta be some type of standard self belief in what you do, what you think about yourself no matter what happens. And then the confidence goes up and down.”

That has been a lived reality for Kakko in 2022, from injuries to the Kid Line being a hit in the playoffs, to being scratched in Game 6 to now. The process is not always linear. But right now, Kakko’s trajectory is upwards.

“I think you notice that every day with him and he feels more comfortable the longer we play together,” Zibanejad said. “It’s gonna be more, he’s gonna feel more comfortable playing with us as well and be able to understand what we try and do.”