The Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your time on ice leader was Adam Larsson with 16:55, but just behind him was Ryker Evans at 16:53. Evans seems very much here to stay in the NHL as he and Vince Dunn form the core of a one-two defenseman punch they can build around.
- This was a get right game by Seattle, although it probably means less when the get right game is the last game of the season. Seattle won the shot quality battle, keeping the net front clean and creating more chances.
- Because the Flames beat the Sharks, this win over Minnesota did not hurt their draft positioning. We get to have it all!
- Yanni Gourde had not one, but two shorthanded breakaways for goals. Granted, the second was an empty net, but it’s nice to see Yanni heat up a little after going so cold recently. His goal on Tuesday against the Jets was his first goal in 20 games.
- When the net empty, Joey Daccord almost did the coolest thing ever:
What an incredible way to end the season if that had happened. Brock Faber, you are not cool with me right now. Not cool at all.
- I like Brandon Tanev. I do. He’s a force on the PK and he blocks shots with no fear, including one today that had him leave the game briefly. “Turbo made some elite blocks there,” Yanni Gourde said. “Everybody battled.” But he cannot seem to finish to save his life. Tanev with a breakaway feels like the most harmless thing. He created several chances this game, none converted.
- Three goals were scored in the last three minutes: Tye Kartye tipped in a shot by Oliver Bjorkstrand to take the lead with 2:40 remaining in the game, and then two more goals were scored, one by Brock Faber (booo you ruined Joey’s goal booo) and the empty net goal by Gourde.
- Look at that clean area in front of the net:
The Kraken head into this offseason with not a lot of huge pieces to address, but they do need to re-sign Matty Beniers to a contract. We don’t know if we will see Tatar, Bellemare, Schultz, or Yamamoto again in a Kraken jersey.
We will have plenty more to say over the summer, but two things to look forward to:
- The Coachella Valley playoff run! The Firebirds lost in OT game 7 of the Calder Cup Final last season and look very strong this year as they try to make another championship run.
- The draft and free agency! Roster construction is one of the most fascinating parts of sports, and the Kraken’s patient, value-hounding roster construction to set up for an explosive team in a couple of years is fascinating. The way they address needs in both free agency and the draft has generally gone well for them in previous offseasons. Will they go big game hunting for a scorer this summer? I’m inclined to think not, but who knows? We will of course cover any and all offseason news here.
This season may not have been what we wanted, but it is just year 3. The Kraken are going to be here for a long, long time and we are just getting started. The Kraken are basically the Mariners in 1980, but with a much better foundation and management.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait 45+ years for them to make a Stanley Cup Final.
Have a great summer, everyone.
Leave a tip to support our writers and staff!