3 Game Essentials | Kraken vs. Blue Jackets | Dec. 11

One: Take What the Opponent Gives You

Grubauer, who no one faults for the Winnipeg loss, commented on how "every night is about executing plays." One potential improvement for Saturday is to eliminate giveaways in the defensive zone.
Another Grubi reflection: "Be on their top guys" - whether it's closing gaps on puck carriers to cut down on time and space or not leaving shooters open in and around the net front.
The Seattle goalie said the Kraken have to continue "adapting and learning what the other team gives you." The Jets did just that, converting on an early giveway in the D-zone, then "managing the game" while looking for any Seattle mistakes that could be converted into scoring chances and goals.
It's a style of play that is still fun to watch - Thursday's second period entertained with many scoring chances - while allowing to keep the score close. Dave Hakstol espouses such an approach and the team's leaders concur. It's worth monitoring if the Kraken can convert on Columbus misplays Saturday.

Two: Kraken in Focus

The Kraken were 0-for-5 on power-play opportunities in
Thursday's 3-0 loss to Winnipeg
- and nearly gave up a shorthanded goal. With Mark Giordano
back from COVID protocol
, he was doing most of the first-unit quarterbacking and Vince Dunn returned to the second unit.
Hakstol noted the last power-play effort of the night was the best in terms of generating scoring chances, though Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann (twice plus one over the net) and Dunn all launched shots that missed wide.
Something to watch as the Kraken look to get back on the winning track: Shot attempts compared to shots on goal.

Three: Know the Foe: Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-1)

The Blue Jackets are 3-1 in overtime games, defeating the Kraken in OT earlier this season. Their top scorer is Oliver Bjorkstrand with eight goals and 13 assists and fellow forward Patrik Laine is wicked and worrisome to every NHL goaltender. Jakub Voracek, acquired in a trade from Philadelphia to help with scoring goals, has one on the year but has notched 19 assists.
Strange but true: Columbus is 9-3 at home, the third-best number of home wins in the Eastern Conference. On the road, the Blue Jackets flip the narrative with a 4-8-1 record. Lots of that trend can be traced to being outscored 33-17 in the first 40 minutes/two periods of road games. The Blue Jackets are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to Anaheim Thursday.