Hockey’s a fast game, you’d think that the Kings would know that by now.
But first, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI leader was Vince Dunn, who logged 23:31
- Normally when I type the phrase “The first period was the game” for the Kraken; it’s not following anything good, and indeed there isn’t really an answer for giving up a goal like the one Quentin Byfield was able to score on Joey Daccord beyond a level of precognition unlocking during the course of the game, but the first period really was the game for Seattle in that they found a particular way to stretch out the Kings’ defense in transition in two spectacular plays, and that seemed to spook the hell out of LA. They still peppered Joey with shots, but it was a much more timid affair than the team that’s gone and blown out multiple eastern conference foes in the last couple of weeks. They tried putting pressure back on Seattle, but by that point it really seemed like the Kraken found a way to keep the Kings incapable of landing a single shot past Joey. This was a real character win that you can be proud of for this squad, and I hope they keep this tape enshrined in the film room somewhere as a sterling example of what to do in order to actually use momentum to their advantage.
- The Kraken penalty kill made it clear they weren’t going to let LA get anything from them tonight, as three sterling kills kept an admittedly kind of anemic power play from imposing itself. An excellent night for those tasked with dealing with the man-disadvantage.
- Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers should have their entire schedules restructured to make sure they’re doing the same thing at all times because they just seem to bring out the best in each other; both were by far two of the most impactful forwards on the ice for Seattle and were part of the rapid comeback. I know I should save that for the player commendations section but it really does feel like there’s some added spice to both players’ games that was absent when they were apart. This is a league where duos and lines tend to be just as impactful as single stars; maybe Seattle has found theirs in these two?
- Bit of an injury scare with Jamie Oleksiak late, but mercifully he was able to get up under his own power and finish his night with 20 minutes and change played. I don’t think this team as it is can handle more injury trouble.
- Joey once again put together a very commendable performance; adding up to 4 of his last 5 games finishing with a .945 or higher in SV%. Tonight he had quite a different caliber of foe in front of him, and if you’re gonna give up a goal it may as well be a highlight reel special.
- I know we let any old company slap their names on whatever stadium we want but the Crypto.com Arena has to be the single dumbest name in sports. Just so clunky.
Let’s Give A Hand To…
- Matty Beniers went to the net hard and tied the game up late in the 1st, as well as one of the more dangerous players on the ice alongside his partner in crime Kaapo Kakko.
- Brandon Montour once again made himself look like the smartest decision Ron Francis has ever made with a pen and ink with the go-ahead cannon-shot that turned out to be the game winner. First star well-earned.
- The Penalty Kill and Defense had a hell of a hill to climb to keep the Kings from tying this game, and credit where credit’s due; they absolutely made it over. There were some scares here and there; this is still a squad that could use upgrades here and there, but
- Joey Daccord usually earns these plaudits, and he earned them big time tonight. 29 shots faced, and the only one that’s going in had to be a highlight reel special. Well done indeed.
And that’s about it!
…What, anything else?
Alright. Fine. The one goal LA scored was kind of cool. Congrats to Quentin Byfield, I guess.
yo but if LA’s really thinking about moving on from you for whatever reason have you considered how pretty Mount Rainier looks in the evening-
The Charts, via NaturalStatTrick.com
The Kraken finish their little road trip against Utah by making their first official visit to Salt Lake City tomorrow night. That game begins at 6pm PT.
We’ll see you there! Thanks for reading, and as always;
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win