The Need to Knows
- Time: 7:30 pm PT
- Place: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA
- Where to Watch: KHN, KING 5, KONG, RDS, TSN 2, ESPN+
- Where to Listen: Kraken Audio Network on 93.3 KJR
Know Your Enemy
Things aren’t too shabby for the Montréal Canadiens. Although Wednesday’s game in Seattle will be their second in two nights, they kicked off their back-to-back beating the Canucks in Vancouver for a 31-27-6 record on the season. Returning from the 4 Nations break with five-straight wins– Montréal’s longest such streak of the season– helped them surmount NHL .500% and plant themselves two points behind the second wild card in the east.
Cole Caufield has quietly accumulated the 11th-most goals in the NHL this season with 32 in 64 games, and he, Juraj Slafkovský, and captain Nick Suzuki are the engine fueling the Canadiens’ offense over the last 10 games. Together, that top line is responsible for 15 of the 30 goals amassed by the team in that span. Patrik Laine, acquired in August, sits ninth on the roster in points (24) and is projected to score only 31 by the season’s end. He’s been out the last two games due to illness and has played in just 34 to this point. It’s uncertain whether he’ll return to game action Wednesday.
Special teams are something to keep an eye on. Montréal shines shorthanded with the 7th-best PK% in the league (82%)– no surprise, they’ve had plenty of practice averaging 9.1 PIM per game (8th)– and their middling power play has heated up as of late. The Canadiens have scored seven power play goals over their last 10 games (27 opportunities for a 25% conversion rate).
Game Preview
Finnish power forward Jani Nyman, recalled from the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Monday, could make his NHL debut in a Kraken sweater when the team returns for a three-game homestand. His parents are flying in from Finland to watch so if he doesn’t suit up Wednesday, he’ll have Friday and Sunday to do so.
Seattle will more than likely face Montréal backup Jakub Dobeš given Sam Montembeault started against the Canucks. Dobeš has recorded a 2.49 GAA and .913 SV% in 11 starts this season.