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Game 2: Kraken @ Predators - Getting Settled In

October 14, 2021, 1:29 PM ET [5 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Seattle's first game did not start off the way the team hoped that it would. While the team managed to pressure early and find some chances due to a strong forecheck, the Golden Knights quickly turned things around and capitalized on some major defensive zone breakdowns, giving them a 2-0 lead early in the first period. After Max Pacioretty scored his second of the game to make it 3-0, things looked like they were going to get ugly fast.

Instead, Seattle dug deep and began playing like they did in the pre-season. The team finished their checks, pushed hard in the offensive end and it was a goal by Ryan Donato, the first goal in Kraken history, scored by crashing the front of the net which got things moving Seattle's way. People were worried that this team would struggle to score goals but posting 3 even strength goals in game one definitely helps to weaken that narrative. The Kraken are relentless once they cross over the blue line and it should make fans happy to see them give a skilled team like the Golden Knights so much trouble in their own end.

Jared McCann scored his first goal as a Kraken player on a bit of a tussle in front of the net as the puck leaked in past Lehner. A greasy goal, but one scored as a result of getting bodies in front of the net. The McCann, Eberle, Schwartz line continued to look solid together, as Eberle almost scored the first goal for the Kraken in the first minute of the game.

The best goal of the night was by the young Morgan Geekie who absolutely sniped a wrister past Lehner. Geekie was flying all night and is a great option for this team in their bottom six.

Unfortunately things still ended in a loss, with the go ahead goal being a slightly questionable one as the puck appeared to be kicked in. Regardless it was a good first showing for the Kraken as they continue their lengthy road trip in Nashville.

Here are five storylines to watch tonight:

1) Tightening Up the Defense: It was almost ironic that the weakest area for Seattle in game one was the aspect of the game everyone expected to be the strongest; defense. Vince Dunn in particular got caught out on a number of plays and was directly responsible for at least one goal against. Nashville doesn't have as many options as Vegas but Hakstol needs to get his guys committed to staying in their lanes.

2) Not A Powerplay: The only thing worse than the defense in game one might have been the powerplay. Seattle had three powerplay opportunities and failed to bury the puck on any of them. Powerplays take time to get figured out and all of these players are new to playing with each other but they at least need to create chances, something they really weren't able to do at all on Tuesday.

3) BB Starts: I assumed that the newly claimed waiver addition, Alex Barre-Boulet was going to play on Tuesday due to the COVID issues that Seattle had. Luckily, none of those players needed to miss the game and tonight BB gets the start next to Wennberg and Donskoi. It's a big responsibility for the young forward as this line will see heavier defensive starts. We will see how he performs.

4) Defense Shuffle: We're already seeing some juggling from the first game in the defensive core. Haydn Fleury who played solid will start the game with Mark Giordano, while the shutdown duo of Larsson and Oleksiak are being placed together. Vince Dunn is bumped down to the third pairing likely to send a message to the young defender. Dunn should be a big part of this lineup but a short leash to start isn't a bad idea.

5) Warmed Up: Seattle is playing their second game while Nashville will be playing their first. The Predators will be playing in front of the home crowd but they'll also likely be holding their sticks a little tight to start. Seattle needs to take advantage of getting their early jitters out of the way and see if they can out pressure the Predators to start the game.

KRAKEN LINEUP

Schwartz-McCann-Eberle
Donskoi-Wennberg-Barre-Boulet
Donato-Geekie-Appleton
Tanev-Sheahan-Bastian

Fleury-Giordano
Larsson-Oleksiak
Dunn-Lauzon

Grubauer
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