Now see this is something I can get behind!
Game Notes section where I talk about the nitty-gritty might be a little light on details, but this year? That’s a win in and of itself.
But First, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI leader tonight was Vince Dunn, who played 22:41!
- The Blackhawks showed up to participate, but not to play. I don’t know how else to put it. Maybe they were concerned they were going to continue getting hurt, or maybe the talent gap from having to use so much of their depth at once caught up with them…but they looked like ass. They got routinely outshot, routinely beaten on board battles, at some point the Kraken just started taking shots to see what would happen and at least two of them went in. After goal 6, they truncated the traditional fist-bump line after a goal so that they could keep the game moving. The Kraken, a team that at one point last week looked like they couldn’t win a single game if their lives depended on it, absolutely dissected and dismantled their foe in such a way that they started to feel bad about it. They were right to do so, because after a point that just got sad.
- All that being said how refreshing it is that the Kraken are on the giving end of a weird bounce of a goal that could never be replicated again if you did it a hundred thousand times. Bjorkstrand’s goal was not just awesome, it bordered on high comedy. A pass to the middle done about a hundred thousand times in a dozen NHL games every other day somehow turned into a a shot so powerful Soderblom couldn’t do a thing against it. Something the Kraken were often on the receiving end of, now being done by the Kraken. You never truly know what shot’s going in.
- The Kraken power play went 1-for-2, and given how lopsided this game could be at certain points, I think you could’ve given them any number of power plays and they’d have scored on them, it was kind of the Kraken to not go 2-for-2 after a certain point in the night.
- Whole bunch of 2 point nights for these squids. That’s how they won last year, and if they can keep that up for Saturday, we might be in better shape than you think! It’s also a sign that they got consistent pressure across all three periods, and that’s a Winning Habit™ worth keeping.
- Daccord played well, and while he didn’t get the shutout, I think a .955 SV%, one of the highest save-percentages I’ve ever logged in these that wasn’t a clean sheet, will be happily taken.
- No points for Connor Bedard. #Bust
- The Kraken are now tied in points with Calgary and Edmonton, and all three are just one point back of the Coyotes, who play next on Friday against the Sharks. Somehow, after all of that…they could end up right back into the 2nd wildcard spot by the end of the month, if they are luckier than a bowl of Lucky Charms. Crazy conference, man. Nothing else like it.
Lets Give A Hand To…
- Kailer Yamamoto! Yammer got the second star last game with a phenominal 2 point night, and he repeated that performance with a 2 goal night tonight, and a team lead in shots among forwards. Like i’ve said before; Yamamoto has been a quiet candidate for best forward in terms of sheer on-ice impact, and it’s great to see it finally paying off.
- OIlie Bjorkstrand! Three points for the Maestro, including one of the most unlikely goals we’re ever going to see this season. Full marks to him…probably should’ve ended up the third star for getting that extra point, however.
- Eeli Tolvanen! Who now has three points in five games, and has scored in back-to-back contests. I’ve said it over and over, but I simply cannot fathom how a player who will likely have a respectable 25-30 points this year ever got waived.
- Will Borgen and Ryker Evans! Both defenders finished their nights with 2 points, it continues Borgen having a much better week than his last couple have been, and the momentum of Ryker Evans’ call-up only continues apace.
- Joey Daccord! 21 saves on 22 shots, a .955 SV%, and another exceptional performance. Your goaltender of the present and future, until further notice. Love that bucket, too.
The NaturalStatTrick.com Charts
It might not shock you to learn the Kraken spent a good portion of this game kicking the Blackhawks up and down the ice. It will shock you even less to know that was also true by the numbers and math.
If anything on your body resembles the shot attempts of the Kraken, please consult your doctor; you will be glad you did so.
The Kraken’s final game of this homestand is on Saturday, as they take on the Los Angeles Kings at Climate Pledge at 7pm PT. After that, they are on the road until the 29th, where they have a single game at Climate Pledge, and then go to the NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile on January 1st.
But first! To take on a Kings squad that was as hot as anything, and has only recently slipped up.
We will see you there, and as always…
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win.
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