SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 30: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Calgary Flames makes a save in front of Alex Wennberg #21 of the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on December 30, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The Seattle Kraken have rest in the rear view mirror.
Their goal is to put that into play at a time they’ll need it. After enjoying the last five days off, Wednesday night starts a ridiculous pace for the Kraken of 17 games in 31 days, with their first game out of the holiday break against the Calgary Flames at 7pm PT (93.3 KJR / Kraken Audio Network) at Climate Pledge Arena.
Past Christmas, the Kraken have proven they are still worthy of hanging around the playoff race in spite of their fresh scent of a second year team. They have done it remarkably with offensive depth, all leading into the league’s sixth best offense at 3.5 goals per game.
But just hanging onto third place in the Pacific Division, and a playoff spot by one point (held by Calgary), they know a test will come against a physically abrasive Flames squad, who played last night and lost a nailbiter, 2-1 to the Edmonton Oilers.
“They’re a good defensive team,” said forward and Calgary native Jordan Eberle. “They play hard, they battle. We’ve played them enough, we should know what to expect.”
The Kraken found a solution to beating the Flames back on November 1, their first win head-to-head in five tries when Matty Beniers sunk Calgary with a clutch third period goal and 5-4 win. Eberle, his consistent linemate along with Jared McCann to form a productive offensive punch, knows the Kraken can paint a rosier work of art.
“I didn’t love our game in Calgary against them,” said Eberle. “We came away with two points, but we didn’t play our best. We’ve got a good chance to continue to move up the standings against another divisional team.”
The Kraken, trailing 4-2 in the third period that night, roared back with three goals in 4:55 to shock the Flames despite being outshot, 40-26.
Philipp Grubauer, the first goaltender to leave the ice at Wednesday’s morning skate, is expected to start in net for the Kraken and carries a .923 save percentage (2-3-1 record) in six lifetime appearances against the Flames.
KRAKEN PROJECTED LINEUP:
Schwartz-Wennberg-Burakovsky
McCann-Beniers-Eberle
Donato-Gourde-Bjorkstrand
Tanev-Geekie-Sprong
Larsson-Dunn
Oleksiak-Schultz
Soucy-Borgen
Grubauer
Jones