3 Game Essentials | Kraken vs. Blackhawks | Jan. 17

One: Getting to the Net More, Winning the Extra Puck Battle

"We need to win hockey games," Hakstol said after
Saturday's tightly played 3-1 loss
to the Los Angeles Kings (effectively a one-goal game since the third goal was an empty netter, the 12th surrendered by the Kraken in 37 games).
"Frustration isn't a part of it for me. I see areas we can get a little bit more out of our group and give a little bit more.
"Until things turn and offense starts to come easier, we have to find a way to come up with an extra puck on 50-50 situations [individual battle between players along the boards and in the neutral zone] and get inside for an extra rebound."
Hakstol is asking that of all four lines and the three pairs of defensemen. Each one of the 18 skaters winning an extra puck battle can add up and create scoring chances. A handful or more of forwards pouncing on rebounds will definitely upgrade the potential to score more than the four goals tallied in the last three losses.
One more suggestion: Get net-front and stay there. Opponents' goals seem to go off those teams' skates and legs (and in the case of the opening goal in Dallas: off the opposing forward and a Kraken defenseman). Marcus Johansson is best at it. Other teammates need to follow his lead.

Two: Focus on Kraken: Grubauer Gets the Start

With Chris Driedger
entering COVID-19 protocol
Sunday, all eyes will be on Philipp Grubauer to keep up the solid two-goals-per-game work from Driedger the last two games.
Both nights, Driedger supplied big and timely saves to the Kraken with ample time and opportunity to push back for a win or at least earn a standings point by extending the game into overtime with a tying goal. Grubauer making the extra save or two is another key to finding a way to win.

Know the Foe: Chicago Blackhawks (15-18-5, 7th in Central Division)

If it seems like every opponent the Kraken have faced since returning from eight days of postponed games, you would be correct. Chicago, which started the year with one win in its first 10 games, is on a four-game win streak.
CHI players are pumped about the surge and talking about "doing some damage" in the second half to ascend into playoff contention (it's a long climb in the Central Division). The Blackhawks are probably even more excited that surefire Hall of Famer Patrick Kane scored his first goal in 14 games during a 3-0 home win over Anaheim.
Kane has only eight goals on the year, but he's also hit eight goalposts (only Boston's David Pastrnak has more with nine). What's more, he has racked up 25 assists in 38 games, including 16 primary assists. A lot of those have set up Chicago's 2022 All-Star, Alex DeBrincat (23 goals). It will be the first NHL All-Star Game since 2008 in which Kane hasn't participated.
After a sluggish start with his new team, 2021 Vezina finalist Marc-Andre Fleury has returned to his own future Hall of Fame form, notching his third shutout Saturday. His save percentage is back up to .915 and rising. Backup Kevin Lankinen has struggled in his sophomore season (.884) and hasn't played since Dec. 18.