The Bruins have one of the best lines in hockey with Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, so Rangers coach David Quinn keeping his 18-year-old rookie Kaapo Kakko away from them as much as possible seems like a smart idea.

That was at least part of the thinking that has Quinn set to move Kakko off his own top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider when the Bruins come to the Garden for Sunday night’s game. Kakko, the No. 2-overall pick in June’s draft, practiced Saturday with Brett Howden and Brendan Lemieux, while the defensively responsible Jesper Fast joined Zibanejad and Kreider, the likely top matchup line against the Bruins’ dynamic trio.

“First reason I did it was to get Fast with Kreider and Mika,” Quinn said. “And this will put Kakko in a position where he won’t be seeing people’s top lines. It might give him a chance to have more success.”

Kakko got his chance next to Zibanejad during Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Sabres, but he couldn’t quite stick. He wants a lot more out of his own game, and he doesn’t hesitate to say so.

“I get a good chance playing first line,” Kakko said. “But I didn’t play so good. Last season [in Finland], I played good hockey, scoring goals, get some points. But winning the game, like last game, that’s the big thing. That’s what we want, what I want.”

As Quinn pointed out, that focus on scoring is common for teenagers, and the one goal and one assist through eight games is not what Kakko is used to. The coach also had a talk with Kakko before Saturday’s practice and explained to him why he was making the switch — and how it likely won’t be for too long.

“I told him I didn’t take him off that line for something he didn’t do, more me wanting to get Fast up there,” Quinn said. “I envision him getting another chance to play with Mika at some point, and maybe the next game or the game after.”

It’s been an up-and-down start for Kakko, but there is a lot of the 82-game schedule remaining.

“We have so many games,” Kakko said. “I think it’s coming, and I trust it.”

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo joined the first power-play unit, while Jacob Trouba went to the second. Adam Fox will remain at the point of the second unit, while Trouba will move to more of a shooter’s role on the flank.

Ryan Strome missed practice while battling the flu, but Quinn said he expects the second-line center to be available Sunday.

Henrik Lundqvist is set to get his second straight start and the sixth of the opening nine games.

The first of the Rangers-Bruins Alumni back-to-back was set to take place outside of Boston on Saturday, and the two teams would face off again at the Garden on Sunday at 1 p.m.