Kraken @ Sabres PREVIEW: Keep the party going

The Need To Knows

• The Time: 4:00pm PT
• The Place: Keybank Center, Buffalo, NY
• Place to Watch: ROOT-Northwest, ESPN+/SportsNet+
• Place to Listen: KJR 93.3 FM
• An Opposing Viewpoint: Die by the Blade

Know Your Enemy

• The Sabres are coming off a two-game winning streak, which ties their longest winning streak of the season. They’ve only won consecutive games one other time this year.
• Part of their early season struggles are injuries, and they are getting healthy again. However, there has been an illness running through the locker room and both Victor Olafsson and Jordan Greenway are considered day-to-day with it.
• Rasmus Dahlin is their all-star, second on the team in points (32) and goals (12).

The Goal Song

The Sabres do not have a specific goal song, but rather they choose individual ones based on who scored. This is the list:

• Zach Benson: Undefeated by charlieonnafriday
• Jacob Bryson: Narco by Bjasterjaxx, Tommy Trumpet
• Connor Clifton: I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister
• Dylan Cozens: White Horse by Chris Stapleton
• Rasmus Dahlin: Humble by Kendrick Lamar
• Zemgus Girgensons: Party Till We Die by MAKJ, Timmy Trumpet, Andrew W.K.
• Jordan Greenway: Grove St. Party by Waka Flocka Flame, Kebo Gotti
• Erik Johnson: Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett
• Henri Jokiharju: The Trooper by Iron Maiden
• Tyson Jost: One More Time by Daft Punk
• Peyton Krebs: Rasputin by Boney M.
• Casey Mittelstadt: Juke Box Hero by Foreigner
• Kyle Okposo: Started From the Bottom by Drake
• Victor Olofsson: Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! by ABBA
• JJ Peterka: Freed From Desire by Gala
• Owen Power: POWER by Kanye West
• Mattias Samuelsson: The Motto by Drake, Lil’ Wayne
• Jeff Skinner: Breaking Free by Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez
• Tage Thompson: Fishing in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• Alex Tuch: Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, A-Trak

These were the goal songs stated at the start of the season. Players have come into the lineup, but it’s been difficult trying to find what they’ve chosen as their goal songs. For example, Jack Quinn has returned to the team but I could not make out the goal song from the highlights.

Game Preview

Last year the Kraken didn’t really turn things around until their first road trip of the calendar year, the famous 7-game road trip where Seattle went 7-0, which ultimately got them over the finish line and punched their ticket to the postseason.

Right now, the Kraken are already on a six-game winning streak and have at least one point in the standings in ten consecutive games, which has put them much closer to a wildcard spot. The Kraken losing all those overtime games earlier really is making a difference now, as the “loser point” they get for an OT loss put them in a position where, if they did turn things around, wouldn’t need a miracle to get into the playoffs. Just for some things to go…kinda right. And they have!

One thing to keep an eye on is who is active on gameday for defense. After waiving Jaycob Megna and calling up Ryker Evans, the Kraken have rostered 7 defensemen. Justin Schultz and Evans have been rotating in and out of the lineup. You would think they didn’t call up Evans from Coachella Valley to sit during the road trip, but who knows what goes on in the mind of Dave Hakstol.

But this should be a good matchup for Seattle and a good spot to secure another two points during their march up the standings and hopefully back into the postseason.