FINALLY.
FINALLY.
FINALLY.
THIS NIGHTMARE IS OVER. I CAN HAVE NEW ONES AGAIN.
But first, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI Leader was Adam Larsson, who logged 23:34 tonight!
- The Kraken started slow, but got a well-earned opening tally from Kailer Yamamoto early and then just…never let it go. This what I was talking about a while ago about the Kraken’s play; if they’re going to struggle, I’d much rather them start slow in the first but get some dangerous looks so that they can build on it on the 2nd and 3rd, which they very much did. They clung to Yamo’s goal through an entire 20 minutes of the 2nd and then broke the floodgates as hard as they could now that they were tired. Rope-A-Dope hockey may not be ideal, but the Kraken played it to perfection tonight, and they finally broke this absolute disaster of a losing streak using it. Full credit to these guys, they looked relieved to be getting their goals after putting in good shifts that created something even resembling offense after nearly a month of it not working.
- Part of it is that for once, they actually pounced on rebound opportunities that Bobrovsky gave up and it turned into goals! Fancy that! They also slammed the door on a pretty potent power play that could’ve easily turned this around in a big damn hurry had they not been on their best for this one. Keeping the Cats at 0-for-3 is huuuuge.
- JOEY FREAKIN’ DACCORD! FIRST NHL SHUTOUT AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON! Joey put an absolute clinic out there in front of a Panthers team that was making him work for it. It helps that for once his defense actually managed to keep things within a reasonable definition of calm right in front of him for the first time in awhile. Not too calm, though. Joey loves being a little adventurous after all.
- Ryker Evans got his first point, and the hat! He had a pretty solid game, and I think playing the third-most even strength minutes of any Kraken skater is a sign (and a good one at that) that Hakstol trusts him. His team trusts him too; players in the locker room like Daccord and Bellmare were effuse with praise. Sure, Joey might be mildly biased, but it’s good to see the vets looking at a young guy playing well and say “yeah, this kid’s got the right idea. Let’s follow his example.”
- Eeli Tolvanen scoring exactly one year to the day he was picked up on waivers is just priceless. I gotta wonder what On The Forecheck feels like right now after he’s become such a staple part of this team. Maybe the Preds would just be in the convo for Central Division playoff spot full-time.
- Really though, it’s no surprise that the Kraken figured themselves out on a night like this, of all nights. Wennberg scoring only made it clear; it’s bobblehead night. You Do Not Lose On Bobblehead Night. If you do, bad things happen.
Let’s Give a Hand To!
- Kailer Yamamoto! 2 points, the opening goal, and the second star of the night highlighted Yammer’s exemplary night. By the analytics, Yamamoto has been quietly one of the better forwards on the Kraken this year and it’s great to see him finally get rewarded for that.
- Pierre-Eduard Bellemare! Third star of the night, getting the second goal of the night and being a secondary assist on Yammer’s goal. He had a good night as well!
- Will Borgen! Two primary assists for a guy who, quite frankly, has badly needed it. Borgen’s biggest strength has been those kinds of plays when he’s in his own end, and it hasn’t always been there for him recently. He needs to keep this up, but this was a pretty tidy night at the office for Big Billy!
- Alex Wennberg! Scoring on that all-timer of a transition chance is just icing on this wonderful cake. And on Bobblehead Night as well! You couldn’t ask for better!
- Joey Daccord! The owner of the second home shutout of the Kraken’s short history. Here’s to so many more clean sheets, big fella.
The NaturalStatTrick.com Charts
Ha ha yeah
Joey Daccord you’re an actual animal. First Star of the Game well earned.
The Kraken look to keep their winning ways going on Thursday evening, when they face the Chicago Blackhawks at 7pm PT on their penultimate game of this homestand.
Let’s make it a good one. The real test is on Saturday.
Thank you for reading, and as always…
KEEP CALM, AND POST ZOIDBERG WHEN WE WIN
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