3 Game Essentials | Kraken (19-12-4) at Oilers (20-16-2) | 6 p.m.

Time: 6:00 p.m. PT | Watch: ROOT SPORTS | Listen: 93.3 KJR
##### One: Stopping Short Losing Streaks From Turning into Long Streaks
EDMONTON -The Kraken's fast start put them double-digit wins above the .500 mark (same number of wins and losses). Playing .500 hockey for December, January, and even into February likely keeps Seattle in playoff contention. Of course, fans, players, and coaches alike would like to keep the 60-plus percent winning percentage going. But, to date, the Kraken have hard-stopped a trio of three-game losing streaks, the latest busted Sunday in the 4-1 win over the New York Islanders.
Asked about stemming the loss streaks and what's different about this year's squad, coach Dave Hakstol was quick with an answer Sunday night inside the Kraken locker room: "There's a lot different. But the biggest thing is the determination in the [locker] room. We faltered it two nights ago. It was an embarrassing night [losing 7-2 to Tuesday's foe, Edmonton]. That's a hard one to play in this building."

"The realization in here. You're in this room and know we belong in this fight. We belong where we are in the standings. Now you have to add the determination and the competitiveness to do it."
##### Two: Anatomy of a Road Trip
The Kraken embark on part one of a seven-game road trip Tuesday here in Edmonton, then take on Toronto Thursday, and Ottawa Saturday in the first of two weeks away from Climate Pledge Arena. Next week begins with a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back at Montreal and Buffalo, then Boston Thursday and Chicago Saturday before heading back to Seattle to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on MLK Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 16) before hopping a flight back here to Edmonton for the second half of another back-to-back. It requires a balance of staying sharp and feeling fresh while also addressing any fixes in the lineup, special teams, systems play, and more.
The coaching and training staff will work together on how to manage the team's energy level and work through the inevitable bumps, bruises, and strains that come with so many games and four time zones of travel. The Kraken road record to date is 9-4-2, so clearly, the coaches and training staff have succeeded to this point. This trip is the next challenge.
Fourth-line forward Daniel Sprong is a leading road warrior. He has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in the 11 road games in which he has played.
##### Three: Draisaitl Likely Back for the Oilers
Edmonton's second-leading scorer, center Leon Draisaitl, practiced at full speed Monday and seems probable to face the Kraken. After trouncing the Kraken Friday, EDM lost to Winnipeg, 2-1, the next night here at Rogers Place. But beware, the Oilers played a tight defensive game and the Jets' winning goal was a bit fluky, getting past free-agent signee Jack Campbell. Expect Stuart Skinner back in the net to try to beat the Kraken twice in a week.