RainyCityHockey
Registered User
After winning three out of their last four and ending Florida's hopes to set an NHL record for home wins to start a season, the Kraken are headed to Buffalo, where they're playing the Sabres.
The Sabres are once again in full rebuilt mode, having traded Jack Eichel to Vegas, but have looked better than expected and are competitive in most games they've been playing.
The Kraken, on the other hand, are looking for their first season series sweep in their franchis history, having beaten the Sabres 5-2 at home back on November 5th.
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Where are they playing?
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
When does the game start?
4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. CET
How to watch?
Root Sports NW, MSG-B, NHL Game Center, ESPN+
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3 Keys to the game
1) First Period
During those three wins the team has looked better in first periods and took the lead into the first intermission during that win in Florida.
Having a good start will help not playing catch up and maybe feeling the need to risk a little bit more, which has resulted in too many chances for opposing teams and has been a problem so far this season.
2) Keep up the defensive mindset
During those last couple of games the goalies have been better, but they also finally had enough help by the skaters who were able to keep things more to the outside and not force their goalies in tough spots.
3) Keep the balance
The Kraken have a fast forward group that can be a problem for the other team, but sometimes for themselves as well.
It's going to be important to play fast and create chances that way, but the team also needs to keep on playing intelligently enough not to overcomitt on the forecheck and help their defenders not being forced into odd man rushes.
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Top Scorers:
Jorden Eberle: 11(G) - 5(A) ---> 16 points
Jaden Schwartz: 4(G) - 12(A) ---> 16 points
Jared McCann: 8(G) - 4(A) ---> 12 points
Work Load:
Adam Larsson: 21:20 TOI/Game
Mark Giordano: 20:51 TOI/Game
Jamie Oleksiak: 19:13 TOI/Game
Netminders:
Philipp Grubauer: 6-8-1 / .890(SV%) / 3.03 GAA
Chris Driedger: 1-2-0 / .870(SV%) / 3.47 GAA
Joey D'Accord: 0-2-0 / .855(SV%) / 4.06 GAA
Top Scorers:
Tage Thompson: 10(G) - 5(A) ---> 15 points
Kyle Okposo: 6(G) - 7(A) ---> 13 points
Rasmus Dahlin: 3(G) - 10(A) ---> 13 points
Work Load:
Rasmus Dahlin: 23:09 TOI/Game
Colin Miller: 20:26 TOI/Game
Jacob Bryson: 20:06 TOI/Game
Netminders:
Dustin Tokarski: 4-4-3 / .910(SV%) / 2.96 GAA
Craig Anderson: 4-2-0 / .921(SV%) / 2.50 GAA
Aaron Dell: 0-4-0 / .862(SV%) / 4.56 GAA
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Like mentioned above, this is the first time the Kraken have a chance at a season sweep in their history.
They'll try to do so with the same team that won in Florida, as both Chris Driedger and Will Borgen will stay in the lineup.
The Sabres, on the other hand, have come down to earth a bit going 3-6-1 during their last ten and are surely going to try and get a much needed win at home against us.
Just like the last two times, this one will include a home coming as Will Borgen gets another game and this time around against his former team in Buffalo.
Anyways, the Boys have a chance at making it four wins out of their last five and earn their first ever season sweep, so let's hope the team is up for it.
But of course...
The Sabres are once again in full rebuilt mode, having traded Jack Eichel to Vegas, but have looked better than expected and are competitive in most games they've been playing.
The Kraken, on the other hand, are looking for their first season series sweep in their franchis history, having beaten the Sabres 5-2 at home back on November 5th.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Where are they playing?
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
When does the game start?
4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. CET
How to watch?
Root Sports NW, MSG-B, NHL Game Center, ESPN+
-------------------------------------------------------------
3 Keys to the game
1) First Period
During those three wins the team has looked better in first periods and took the lead into the first intermission during that win in Florida.
Having a good start will help not playing catch up and maybe feeling the need to risk a little bit more, which has resulted in too many chances for opposing teams and has been a problem so far this season.
2) Keep up the defensive mindset
During those last couple of games the goalies have been better, but they also finally had enough help by the skaters who were able to keep things more to the outside and not force their goalies in tough spots.
3) Keep the balance
The Kraken have a fast forward group that can be a problem for the other team, but sometimes for themselves as well.
It's going to be important to play fast and create chances that way, but the team also needs to keep on playing intelligently enough not to overcomitt on the forecheck and help their defenders not being forced into odd man rushes.
------------------------------------------------
Top Scorers:
Jorden Eberle: 11(G) - 5(A) ---> 16 points
Jaden Schwartz: 4(G) - 12(A) ---> 16 points
Jared McCann: 8(G) - 4(A) ---> 12 points
Work Load:
Adam Larsson: 21:20 TOI/Game
Mark Giordano: 20:51 TOI/Game
Jamie Oleksiak: 19:13 TOI/Game
Netminders:
Philipp Grubauer: 6-8-1 / .890(SV%) / 3.03 GAA
Chris Driedger: 1-2-0 / .870(SV%) / 3.47 GAA
Joey D'Accord: 0-2-0 / .855(SV%) / 4.06 GAA
Top Scorers:
Tage Thompson: 10(G) - 5(A) ---> 15 points
Kyle Okposo: 6(G) - 7(A) ---> 13 points
Rasmus Dahlin: 3(G) - 10(A) ---> 13 points
Work Load:
Rasmus Dahlin: 23:09 TOI/Game
Colin Miller: 20:26 TOI/Game
Jacob Bryson: 20:06 TOI/Game
Netminders:
Dustin Tokarski: 4-4-3 / .910(SV%) / 2.96 GAA
Craig Anderson: 4-2-0 / .921(SV%) / 2.50 GAA
Aaron Dell: 0-4-0 / .862(SV%) / 4.56 GAA
--------------------------------------------------
Like mentioned above, this is the first time the Kraken have a chance at a season sweep in their history.
They'll try to do so with the same team that won in Florida, as both Chris Driedger and Will Borgen will stay in the lineup.
The Sabres, on the other hand, have come down to earth a bit going 3-6-1 during their last ten and are surely going to try and get a much needed win at home against us.
Just like the last two times, this one will include a home coming as Will Borgen gets another game and this time around against his former team in Buffalo.
Anyways, the Boys have a chance at making it four wins out of their last five and earn their first ever season sweep, so let's hope the team is up for it.
But of course...
