Oliver Bjorkstrand’s key to surviving scoring droughts is simple: “working hard,” he says smiling.
Plenty of hard work will be needed Friday for the Kraken’s homecoming against the 9-3-1 Vegas Golden Knights, where Bjorkstrand’s strategic return to the lineup will ideally alleviate what Dan Bylsma and his locker room identify as lacking confidence and poor execution. Beating the third-most productive offense in the league will take more than a goal, which Seattle is averaging over their last four.
Bjorkstrand, with five points on the season and all three of his goals coming in high-scoring wins, sat during his team’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday to conclude a 1-4-0 road trip. That makes two regular season games missed by the winger during his Kraken tenure ever, and the first due to a dip in play– paternity leave forced him out of the lineup during an early April contest in 2023.
Bylsma and Bjorkstrand had several conversations leading up to the winger’s scratch regarding expectations for his performance, upholding the message the head coach has reiterated for weeks: that high standards of play must be met collectively and individually.
If Bjorkstrand’s scratch ends up reinvigorating the offense, it won’t be because his alternative proved any better.
Ryan Winterton replaced him alongside Shane Wright and opposite Eeli Tolvanen, and the trio controlled 16.01% of the shot quality in 5:42 of ice time. They were on-ice for two particularly ill-timed goals against– Chris Wagner’s ice-breaking wrister and Ivan Ivan’s response to Jaden Schwartz’s game-tying effort. Brandon Tanev, Yanni Gourde, and John Hayden– who replaced Tye Kartye, also healthy scratched at Colorado for performance reasons– played about a minute more only to control 24.2% of the shot quality.
“I think we’re going to have a great response from all over [the lineup] because of [his scratch],” Byslma said Thursday. “There was a team message there as well in Oliver not playing in that game.”
Bjorkstrand leads the team in shots (32), ranks second in shot attempts (54), and is tied for third in expected goals per 60 (0.81). He’s one of four forwards whose on-ice presence Seattle’s attack benefits from (51.8% shot quality share). As a team in all situations, the Kraken control 42.7%. And, Bjorkstrand ranks second in all-time points scored against the Knights (8).
But for the winger, it all comes back to compete. Bjorkstrand told reporters he’ll be working on playing “engaged” Friday night– maintaining a stronger hold on possession, winning battles, and fighting for scoring chances. He said the coaching staff will provide information on Vegas’ systematic weaknesses, but ultimately, the chance to beat the Knights for the third time in 13 contests depends on the fulfillment of individuals’ responsibilities.
“Speaking for myself, you got to find a different level,” Bjorkstrand said. “Come game time, you got to find a way to put your head down and want it more than the other guy ahead of you.”
An optional skate Friday morning revealed little about the lineup that the Kraken will deploy against their expansion enemies– few skaters showed for the around 20 minute session. But with Hayden, Winterton, and Cale Fleury rejoining the Coachella Valley Firebirds Wednesday, it’s safe to say lines will resemble those against the Boston Bruins.
Vince Dunn will be out again but is “progressing” according to Bylsma. The biggest difference will be found on the bench– Ales Stezka will back up Joey Daccord following an “unfortunate accident at home” leaving Philipp Grubauer unable to play. He is day-to-day and skated Friday morning.