Kaapo Kahkonen to make his NHL debut vs. Devils

This is a big night for young netminder Kaapo Kahkonen: he will be in between the pipes tonight as the puck drops for the game between his Minnesota Wild and the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. 

This will mark Kahkonen’s NHL debut, he who was selected in the fourth round 109th overall in 2014 by the Wild. His family and friends will be in attendance to this milestone. 

“It’s great,” Kahkonen said to the Star Tribune. “My first game in the NHL, obviously that’s a big moment for me. And for them I think they might even be more excited. [But] I will be excited.”

The 23-year-old was called up from the American Hockey League last week to backup Alex Stalock, who started Monday against the New York Rangers.  Devan Dubnyk is away from the team because of a family matter, therefore Kahkonen will be the seventh goalie to play his first NHL game with the franchise. 

Dubnyk expected to return to practice Thursday, meaning that Kahkonen’s stint with the Wild could soon come to an end. He was 7-2-2 with a .909 save percentage and 2.47 goals against in 11 starts with Iowa this season before he was recalled last week 

However, we bet he will enjoy every minute of tonight’s game. We wish him all the best and… a win!