GDT: Game 8: Seattle Kraken(2-4-1) @ Carolina Hurricanes(3-4-0) - 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET

[RainyCityHockey]

Today the Kraken will be playing their second game of their four game road swing to the east coast.
This time they'll be in Carolina to play the Hurricanes for the second time within about a week and could even sweep the series.

The Hurricanes have had a rough time so far this season giving up goals, goals and goals(seven of them against the Kraken last time around) and might even have more trouble defensively with Brett Pesce being out as well.

The Kraken will need to put in another solid performance and have to keep on scoring goals, in order to win more games.

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Where?
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC

When?
4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. CET

How to watch?
ROOT Sports NW

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3 Keys to the game

Goaltending:
Both goalies started pretty well this season but haven't been that solid for the last couple of games.
Given that the Kraken could still have trouble scoring no matter who will start will need to improve on their past performance.

Power Play:
We've been able to score a couple of goals on the power play but still need loads of work to be respectable with the man advantage.
It would be good if the guys could move around a bit more and if guys like Schwartz would keep on crashing the net in order to create some problems for other teams.

Netfront/go to the net:
The Kraken aren't really buld to create a lot of problems for other teams sending guys net front given the size of their forwrds.
Though, you can still try and get in the dirty areas in order to force other teams into tougher positions defensively while also making things a bit more uncomfortable for their goalie.

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Stats

Top Scorers:
Vince Dunn: 1(G) - 6(A) ---> 7 points
Oliver Bjorkstrand: 1G) - 4(A) ---> 5 points
Jayden Schwartz: 4(G) - 0(A) ---> 4 points

Work Load:
Adam Larsson: 23:56 TOI/Game
Vince Dunn: 23:48 TOI/Game
Jamie Oleksiak: 19:16 TOI/Game

Netminders:
Philipp Grubauer: 0-4-0 / .896(SV%) / 3.04 GAA
Joey D'Accord: 2-0-1 / .898(SV%) / 2.85 GAA

Top Scorers:
Seth Jarvis: 4(G) - 3(A) ---> 7 points
jaccob Slavin: 3(G) - 4(A) ---> 7 points
Jesperi Kotkaniemi: 3(G) - 4(A) ---> 7 points


Work Load:
Brent Burns: 22:05 TOI/Game
Sebastian Aho: 21:01 TOI/Game
Brady Skjei: 20:19 TOI/Game

Netminders:
Antti Raanta: 1-1-0 / .818(SV%) / 4.41 GAA
Frederik Andersen: 2-0-0 / .855(SV%) / 4.14 GAA
Pyotr Kochetkov: 0-3-0 / .838(SV%) / 4.33 GAA

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Let's see how this one goes.

As it looks right now this might be one of the most mediocre matchups all season long as long as someone either starts winning or completely falls off a cliff.
So many neutral folks might say this if asked about the Kraken/Canes matchup...

Still, this one's for two points and if the Kraken really want to get back into the playoff hunt they'll need to capitalize on Carolina's current problems on defense and in net.

Hopefully the boys are up for it and are able to play another solid game to get the win and sweep the season series with the Canes.

And last but not least, as always....

Click to read more...

 

[Hocktopus]

The Kraken will certainly have to be ready for this one as the Canes will be itching to avenge that drubbing we gave them last week (not to mention how much they have struggled to start the year after being labeled as a Cup favorite).

We will either have to get the 1st goal to quiet the crowd or withstand the storm for the 1st half of the period as the Canes will likely come out flying

 

[AarG]

 

[kihei]

Nothing would be finer than to defeat Carolina.

 

[AarG]

Bjorky!

 

[kihei]

Bjorkstrand scores. What a move.

 

[kihei]

Matty sure doesn't win many puck battles.

 

[Sad People]

Dirty pass.

 

[AarG]

Oh what a play by Shore! Beauty!

 

[kihei]

Holy moly. Great defensive play, great goal. Wow.

 

[wewantyoursoul]

That play by Shore was fantastically impressive. The catch and goal.

 

[kihei]

How does somebody not clear the puck there? 2-1 thanks to a late goal,

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

For the love of Christ Dumoulin had to blow a tire right then and there shit

I like how cool under pressure Daccord is...

 

[kihei]

Wow. Firkus is tearing it up in the WHL. 11 goals and 23 points in the first 11 games.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Bjorkstrand scores. What a move.

Missed it was it a beauty?

 

[AarG]

Kraken goals in the 1st:

 

[The Marquis]

Shore is looking great. The kind of great that if it continues you keep him on the roster

 

[The Marquis]

They definitely look to be clicking better than at the start of the season before my vacation.

 

[The Marquis]

Most NHL goalies blow that pressure Daccord handled behind the net there. Kid can stick handle. I’ve read he stick handles at a very high level. It showed there.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Kraken goals in the 1st:

Helluva move...Burns is picking up his Jock as we view the Goal

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

I get why Hakstol has shuffled the Forwards and D-men! I'm all about the lines working themselves and slumps out

 

[kihei]

Now can Daccord finally have a shut down third period. Third periods have been his Achilles heel.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Holy crap. Give Daccord some help. Any help.

 

[kihei]

This game has become a blood-pressure raiser of the first order.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I can't tell if we are in a defensive shell or that we just can't keep the Canes in check.`