We’re learning a lot about this team and ourselves.
And I’m not sure we like what we’re seeing.
Here are some Highlights
Game Notes
- Your TOI Leader tonight was Brandon Montour, who logged 24:17
- Three things brought the Kraken down tonight: first, the Penalties.
- Second, the Penalty Kill. The PK has otherwise been a strength of the Kraken, even with their offensive woes, even with their defensive woes…that was still something they could say they were good at. Tonight, they were not able to keep up with a dangerous power play; one that got 3/5 off of the Kraken.
- The final thing…I’m sorry to say, is Philipp Grubauer. Look, did the Kraken do a lot of the same things on defense that has lost them games this year; they’ve allowed guys like Nathan MacKinnon near unfettered access to the net, they still couldn’t actually break up plays in spite of being in the way of them, and tonight anyway, they absolutely placed their goaltender in a bad position with poor puck management and turnovers. But the thing is…if he doesn’t trip over himself, there’s a chance he stops the Wagner goal. He stopped the Lehkonen chance that became a goal…and it squeaked out from under him anyway. Is he the only reason they lost this game? I don’t think so. I think Nathan MacKinnon made mincemeat of the Kraken defense and made it a lot easier for Grubauer to be put in this position…but an .839 SV%, 3rd loss in a row, and a 1-5-0 start with him in net, I think the painful reality is that the German Gentleman may not be what the Kraken needs right now. It’s easy to say you have to keep making it work because of the money he’s being paid, but at this point, in year four of the contract, with extremely little suggesting he is going to get better, I’m afraid every time he’s going to be the 2nd best option in net for the Kraken in every game he plays from here on. Not a great place to be with your netminders.
- Let’s not let the offense off the hook however; the Kraken offense still seems wildly out of sync with each other, another early period struggle to create anything turned into a complete disaster that the team had to claw their way out of again. While on it’s face I don’t disagree with the idea of benching Oliver Bjorkstrand, I think you need that kind of player in your lineup even if he’s coming off of a bad night. Especially if Ryan Winterton wasn’t a patch on it. Hopefully this pushes Ollie to be better because it felt like the Bjorky of old was sorely missed tonight.
- This was a bad night for Shane Wright. He and his entire line got killed at even-strength, and frankly I’m a little concerned; he’s not been the worst player for the Kraken, neither has Matty…but it’s becoming abundantly clear that they are having trouble getting it done. Shakeups, in my opinion, are good and well and needed.
- Dear Kraken Review booth: Grease the palms of the officials or actively get it in Bylsma’s head that he needs to lobby a little harder. That reversed call that was a successful offsides challenge just…just…no, man. They gotta be better than that.
- By the by, the Kraken need to either start committing to checks of any kind, not just body checks, or it’s gonna be a long, frustrating season. Will it pull them out of position sometimes? Absolutely. It might even end up making some of their defenders look real dumb. But it will be something on defense that looks like they aren’t in a constant mental fog, because that’s where they are right now.
- Be good to each other, man.
Was there anything good about tonight’s game?
Sure, a couple of things.
- Matty Beniers finished with a 2 point night; including a tip in on a Montour goal with the goalie pulled. It’s weird that they’re
- Jared McCann also had a 2 point night in his 600th game. Good for him!
- Jaden Schwartz deflected home a half-decent shot from Matty to tie the game briefly. If we can get more out of him like that? I’m all set!
The Charts, via NaturalStatTrick.com
Help your goalie and your offense, please.
The Kraken finish up this cursed road trip and return home to play the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. That game starts at 7pm PST.
Thanks for reading. And hey, today? Take care of yourself.
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win