Maybe they were just feeling long distance friendship blues over their friend being stuck in Canada.
But first, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI Leader was Brandon Montour, who played 23:10 last night.
- The Kraken didn’t start this game great, but if there’s anything that they did have that was a major positive, it was finally getting to see Bobby McMann in their sweater; and man did he seem to bring an energy this team has been direly in need of for some time now. He was all too willing to get to the net, he wasn’t concerned about contact, he was happily looking for a role in this new lineup after being on the shelf due to outside concerns, and it seems like he’s found it already. It’s a credit to him showing up ready to make an impression that they were able to cruise past the Canucks in a pretty convincing fashion!
- It also helps that the Canucks really are as advertised in the worst possible way. Their ability to defend is just putrid, and their goaltending is so very not up to the challenge. They still got some pretty solid talent, as the Kraken learned all too well, but otherwise they are just not enough. That Oleksiak was 4-on-2 and the seas parted to give him that shot.
- The Kraken had three players with 3 points tonight, and while it is genuinely awesome that McMann came ready to tear things up, it’s also good that Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle, who’ve been very up and down through this losing streak they were on, finally got themselves right. They really need to be on the ball if they want to try competing for a playoff spot, so it’s good to see them being themselves.
- Special Teams was also pretty solid as well; the Kraken got a goal from McMann, and the Canucks looked like they had the concept recently explained to them. Can’t expect an effort like that every time, but this will be a big positive step forward for them!
- Grubauer returned to form with a 32 save on 34 shots night; walking away with a .941 SV% and two goals against that ultimately were very explainable as rotten luck on the Kraken’s part (or falling asleep at the wheel on the Kane goal, anyway), so good on him!
Let’s Give A Hand To…
- Bobby McMann! man, good things come to those who wait, because he broke a record for most points in a Kraken debut, had two goals, an assist, and the first star of the evening. Couldn’t ask for better!
- Matty Beniers! He cleaned things up with the Kraken’s final goal, and got a helper on one of McMann’s goals and on Jamie Oleksiak’s tally!
- Jordan Eberle! He had three assists tonight! One on McCann’s goal, and two consecutive helpers on Beniers and McMann’s tallies!
- More flowers for Grubauer, who kept the Canucks at bay even when the Kraken were not looking their best. That’s huge and always deeply appreciated.
The Chartz, Via NaturalStatTrick
There’s no rest for the wicked, as Seattle goes back home and welcomes Florida to their cozy confines! That game starts at 5pm PST!
We’ll see you there!
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win!