Credit: Jennthulhu photos
- The Time: 6pm PT
- The Place: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, about 9 miles from Lumen Field
- Place to Watch: KHN, KING 5, KONG, Utah-16
- Place to Listen: Kraken Audio Network via KJR 93.3-FM
The Jets come into this game with a 46-17-4 record and 96 points, by far and away the best in the Western Conference and are tied with the Capitals for the NHL’s best record. Let us get familiar with some of their key players.
Mark Scheifele has proven himself to be a performer of the highest caliber. His 35 goals represent his devotion to departmental excellence. He processes scoring opportunities with an efficiency that stands as a token of his commitment to the workplace.
Connor Hellebuyck has been nothing short of exemplary, demonstrating a devotion to the craft that merits special acknowledgement; the reigning Vezina winner is on track to win another. When opposing forwards approach, they encounter a guardian whose physical dimensions and anticipatory capabilities create an experience most akin to confronting a leviathan of imperturbable countenance, whose very presence engenders a profound disquietude among those who dare venture into his dominion.
One must acknowledge him as the very paragon of his vocation.
After transferring from the Kraken to the Jets, Brandon Tanev has been fully reintegrated into the department that he originally played for. His homecoming bears the hallmarks of someone restored to his rightful institution after a period of secondment. The manner in which he has resumed his duties suggests a continuity of purpose that transcends mere contractual obligations.
It is normal to feel sad when valued employees depart the Kraken. But know that Brandon T. and his endless workplace dedication and energy continue on in Winnipeg.
Forward Morgan Barron, who has missed time the last few weeks with an upper-body injury, returned Friday night against Dallas and has been put back into the lineup. His absence created a temporary workplace disruption that has now been favorably resolved.
Morgan B. grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, about 20 minutes away from Cole Harbour.
As their playoff chances sit with Kier, the Kraken this year have had a case of fractured identity and we just don’t know which team will show up in any given game, or even any given period. Sometimes they make fast, quick decisions with intentionality and precision, and other times it seems like they don’t even understand the task at hand, like they’re trying to decipher numbers without context.
Your outie gets net front to create scoring chances.
Your outie does not turn the puck over in their own end.
Your outie maintains their defensive assignments.
Your outie makes clean zone entries.
Your outie maintains proper gap control.
Your outie’s passes are tape-to-tape.
Many questions remain unanswered as we approach the end of the season:
- Will Shane W. stay on the fourth line? Shane Wright has been banished to the 4th line with Tye Kartye and Michael Eyssimont. It’s a little bizarre to me that arguably the team’s best player this season is playing with whatever forwards are left over. Against Montreal his ice time was cut down to just 10 minutes, although that rebounded against Utah on Friday. Coach Bylsma’s management of such an important player is mysterious.
- Will Jani N. play? The Finnish forward had a goal in his first game and hasn’t looked lost out there on the ice, but he could still use development with his skating. My guess is Nyman does play tonight to finish out the homestand, and then we’ll see what happens when the Kraken go on the road. His shot is lethal and he gets the puck on and off his stick in a hurry.
- Can Joey D. bounce back? Joey Daccord has been getting a lot of work recently, and the fatigue is starting to show. After looking like one of the league’s better goalies this season, he has given up 3 goals or more in each of his last 6 starts and has a .850 save percentage over those games. Daccord got the night off on Friday with Philipp Grubauer getting the start and hopefully is fresh enough to get back to his “A” game.
The Kraken are on a two-game winning streak. Should the Kraken continue to excel in their work, please enjoy a Musical Dance Experience. I urge all fans to take advantage of the opportunity presented.
This has been a long season and not the most fun one, but we’re hitting the home stretch. It’s okay. It’s all okay. Just remember: hang in there.
