SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 03: Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken celebrates his power-play goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on April 03, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
Leadership material in a blue jersey gained notice across the NHL.
Jordan Eberle was awarded the NHL’s second star of the week honors on Monday after the Seattle Kraken veteran forward punched in an eight point week and building up a four-game goal scoring streak continuing into tonight’s 7pm contest at Mullett Arena against the host Arizona Coyotes.
But it was the timeliness of Eberle’s impact that made a big difference in the Kraken season. He scored a pair of game winners – last Tuesday in a 5-2 win over the host Vancouver Canucks and then Thursday in the 4-2 triumph over Arizona that sealed the first Stanley Cup Playoff berth in Kraken history.
Eberle also scored in an 8-1 Kraken blowout of Arizona last Monday, and didn’t stop in the first game back after clinching a playoff berth, scoring a first period goal, en route to a 7-3 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
This season, the 13-year NHL veteran hit the 20-goal plateau for the eighth time in his career, and for the second straight season after coming to Seattle from the New York Islanders via the expansion draft. This season will be Eberle’s first trip back to the postseason after helping get to the Islanders to two straight Conference Final trips in 2020-21, including an excruciating game 7 loss two years ago. He spoke last Friday with 93.3 KJR-FM about moving on from his time with the Islanders, and the meaning of clinching a playoff berth in Seattle.
Eberle, one of four alternate captains on a team that elected to forego naming a captain this season, has 62 games of postseason experience with 13 goals and 36 points with the Islanders and Edmonton Oilers.
The Kraken have three games remaining before the Stanley Cup Playoffs, two points back of third place Los Angeles. They are guaranteed to finish no lower than the first wild card spot. The playoffs will open next week, with the schedule to be announced.