The Need to Knows
- The Time: 7pm PT
- The Place: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Place to Watch: TNT, BallySports, SportsNet+
- Place to Listen: KJR 93.3-FM
- An Opposing Viewpoint: Jewels from the Crown
Know your enemy
The Seattle Kraken are set to face off against the Los Angeles Kings in what promises to be a compelling matchup. What makes it compelling you ask? Youth: Matty Beniers, Shane Wright. Ryker Evans. Tye Kartye. The future. Forget about the score, watch the Kraken’s top picks and dream of a day when things have turned around.
The Kings have established themselves as a formidable force in the NHL this season, currently holding a respectable 18-6-4 record. Goaltender Cam Talbot is holding steady with an impressive .926 save percentage. The Kings have allowed the fewest goals against in the league this season. Their powerplay is middling, but their PK is dynamite (87%). Tough out, especially for a Kraken squad that can’t seem to stop spinning their collective wheels.
Pre-game Analysis:
The recent call-up of Shane Wright may mean a look to the team’s future in the coming weeks and months. Some beloved faces from the inaugural year may find themselves on another squad that’s closer to a playoff berth.
In their recent 6-3-1 stretch over the last ten games, the Kings have showcased their ability to navigate through challenges. The Kraken, with their skill and the correct strategic approach, have the potential to prevail against any opponent, provided they focus on two critical elements:
1. Sustained effort throughout the entire 60 minutes.
2. Minimization of costly mistakes throughout the game.
Unfortunately, these elements may have been inconsistent during the Kraken’s recent stretch, and that’s being kind. The addition of Thomas Tatar is not going to save the season, I’m not sure what will. NHL team cohesion is a strange beast, and the Kraken simply don’t have the magic they had last year.
But we’ll see if they have the magic tonight.