Welcome back, Driedge. We missed this version of you.
But First, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI leader was Adam Larsson, who logged 24:08 tonight.
- Yet another night that the Kraken let the opponent take the fight to them…and then just turned it into opportunity after opportunity anyway. Transition chances were the difference maker for the offense; getting Yamamoto his opening tally came out of a stretch pass, and Wenny’s goal came from a long pass out of the defensive end from Borgen. I don’t know if it’s sustainable, especially given the issues this team’s net-front defense has been, but it’s gotten them to their third win in a row and their seventh game with a point, so I’m not complaining whatsoever.
- Part of this is that their net-front defense, as we’ll see below, was stellar tonight. Far better than it’s been in a lot of other contests this year. Calgary had a hell of a time trying to get to Chris Driedger and even when they tried, it only worked once on a shot from Nazem Kadri.
- Special teams maybe wasn’t the slam dunk it should’ve been; but any night one side gets far, far more power plays than you do and they only cash in on one is a good one. Still…I’d like to see this penalty kill maybe get a little more dangerous.
- Driedger coming back and putting up not only the win but also the roller coaster of a night that he had was awesome. He did struggle a little bit, but the third period was aces all around, especially on that Lindholm chance with his stick. Welcome back, big fella.
- The Kraken are keeping pace and depriving Calgary with 2 points here goes a long way, and are now only three points back of a playoff spot; of which Arizona and Nashville are tied at 38 points apiece. Of course, now that they’ve gotten points in their last 7, they’ve now come to the two harder games on their upcoming schedule; the Philly game…and the Winter Classic itself. Their upcoming schedule is vital to building enough momentum to not only face the Golden Knights on their own terms, but winning.
Let’s Give A Hand To!
- Kailer Yamamoto! Once again a player just being all around useful in most respects, and he got a hell of a goal off the breakout early on in the first. Great work from him tonight once again leading the charge.
- Alex Wennberg! His 5th of the season came not a moment too soon off of a solid go-ahead pass from Jared McCann. If he can keep this up, there’s wins in these hills for him. It helps that he’s found a way to be useful just in the nick of time, as well.
- Chris Driedger! Driedger had a weird first couple of periods, but then locked things down to finish out a tight game with a .974 SV% and a mindboggling 37 saves! Welcome back indeed. Let’s hope you’re up for more of that.
- Vince Dunn! Who, with his assist tonight, has four points in his last two games. That’s the guy we’re looking for most nights; it’s nice that he’s showing up on the scoresheet again again.
- Matty Beniers! Look, he didn’t have any points, but he was one of a blessed few Kraken tonight who didn’t spend every part of his shift in his own end and kept the Flames off Driedger’s back for the most part, and that counts for something. Sometimes making things mildly easier is it’s own reward.
The NaturalStatTrick.com Charts
Actually not nearly as bad as it felt in some places. If the worst they could do is just sort of try shots from everywhere? That’s much better than the alternative.
Next up!
The Dress rehearsal for the Winter Classic, as the Kraken return home, and host the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, with puck drop at long last at 7pm PT.
We will see you there. Thank you for reading, and as always
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win.
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