High Energy in Everett

The "3-Rink Rush" of Kraken home games at in-state Western Hockey League arenas continued Friday in an Edmonton-Seattle rematch in front of a high-decibel, knowledgeable crowd in Everett. The biggest cheers came on several Kraken finishing a series of hits mid-first period and puck-moving shot opportunities that is becoming a hallmark for the Jaden Schwartz-Jared McCann-Jordan Eberle line.
The Kraken's first-ever preseason now stands at three wins and a loss.

It has to be said. The Kraken notched some quality scoring chances but credit Oilers goalie prospect Stuart Skinner for keeping Seattle off the scoreboard for 59 minutes. The 22-year-old offered a performance in which he didn't appear out of position all night.
To their credit, the Kraken didn't stop moving the puck and creating opportunities deep into the third period. One of the best late opportunities, coming off the stick of D-man Jamie Oleksiak, clanged the post with less than five minutes remaining.
With a minute left, Alex Wennberg (in his Kraken debut) and Mark Giordano set up Jaden Schwartz to score another clutch goal, ruining Skinner's shutout bid and knotting the score at 1-1.
Everett let loose with that score. Big noise. Seattle-caliber noise. Spokane set a high bar in a 5-3 win last Sunday. The Silvertips crowd up north of Seattle certainly matched it.
The overtime period was all Seattle for the first two-plus minutes, including the Schwartz-Jared McCann pairing drawing an Oilers penalty. Skinner made more big saves, but McCann's laser one-timer shot at 3:02 into overtime sent the crowd home deliriously joyful. Assists went to Eberle and Giordano.
The Kraken coaching staff and whole hockey operations group love McCann's hard, heavy shot. Friday was evidence why the passion.
Good to remember, these exhibition games are as much about learning how teammates play-where they will be on the ice, who sticks up for who, whether the squad plays physical (Friday's answer was yes). It also provides plenty of video review for upcoming days of training camp.
But wins are fun too. The Kraken are now 3-1 in their first-ever NHL preseason.

Puck Possession Matters

When Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol and his staff review the tape of Friday's first period in Everett, they are not going to be fond of the lopsided offensive-zone possession time for Edmonton early in the game. The first three to four minutes were basically played at the Kraken defensive end.
Philipp Grubauer made some big stops to keep it scoreless. The presumed No. 1 Kraken goalie likes to play a "quiet" style, where he is in position to block shots without too many acrobatics. But he did need to make a resoundingly athletic leg save. Grubauer finished the period with nine saves and allowed one goal on 17 shots over his two periods.
There are only basic stats recorded during NHL preseason games played at non-NHL venues. Possession time in the O-zone is one metric Kraken fans will want to follow this season (stick with us on that quest), both on the defensive and offensive ends.

Clinical Approach

Observing the shifts of veteran SEA forwards and linemates Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle is a hockey clinic in and of itself. Both players are strong on the forecheck-not just disrupting puck flow for opponents but getting the puck back for more of the aforementioned offensive-zone possession.

Passing Grade for Penalty Kill

The Kraken penalty-kill unit was tested three times in the opening period as Nathan Bastian, Vince Dunn and Johansson were all whistled off for minors. Jarnkrok and Johansoon (when not serving his penalty) appear to be solid choice for the up men on the PK. Jared McCann and Jaden Schwartz were equally stellar as a second forwards option for assistant coach Jay Leach's man-down foursome.
What you have to like about the Kraken PK play to date is the forwards are helping clear the zone (often dumping the puck to the far end so fresh penalty killers can get on the ice) but also carrying the puck out of the defensive end with some authority. Overall, there is a discipline and patience with the PK to date.
On the flip side of man-advantage, two Kraken power plays unfolded without the desired results. The second turn was was better, but expect the coaching staff to keep working on the PP approach. By design, the coaching staff worked on 5-on-5 systems the first week of camp.

Details on Defensive Pairings

The Kraken's defensive pairings tonight: Mark Giordano with Vince Dunn, both offensive-minded D-men who did create some open looks. The Jamie Oleksiak-Haydn Fleury pairing proved physical all night, with Fleury playing like his spot on the roster was on the line. Fleury was one of the last players off the ice during Friday's optional morning skate.
Carson Soucy and Jeremy Lauzon paired up. Lauzon looked capable of staying with some speedy Edmonton forwards, using his body effectively. Soucy doesn't get talked about much in the media, but he fared responsibly in the defensive zone and carried the puck up ice effectively-plus one quality net rush and shot early in the third period.

Daccord Delivers Again

Joey Daccord made a point-blank save early in the final period to keep it a one-goal game. The Kraken's third goalie has been strong in his appearances (difficult in that enters games for the last 20 minutes).
Fans should feel confident Daccord can contribute at the NHL level if needed this season. Goalie coach Andrew Allen has got to be pleased with Daccord's body of work for the entire training camp to date.