Kraken Korner Vol. 4

Date: November 25, 2021

By: Dylan Camp

Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sports

Note: Written on Nov. 10

Through their first 13 games of the season, things have gone less than ideal for the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken have only registered nine points through those games and are bottom of the Pacific Division as well as stand at 28^th overall in the league.

They are currently on a two-game losing streak after blowing leads against teams of the bottom of the league, first against Arizona (5-4) followed days later by blowing a lead twice to Las Vegas, who took down the Kraken by a score of 4-2.

Seattle’s biggest issue on the young season continues to be protecting their own net despite their goalies looking strong. Starting goalie Philipp Grubauer, after having a rough start to the season, has brought his goals against average below three and his save percentage has risen nearing 0.900.

Chris Driedger returned from injury, getting his first start of the season versus the Golden Knights, and although four goals were put into his net, he looked strong. Two goals were scored by Golden Knights in the blue paint who went unchecked by the Kraken defense. Another goal was scored on a strong tip by Reilly Smith who was not tied up in the slot and was able to get his stick on a slapshot from the point.

Chris Driedger will start in goal tonight for the Kraken.

— Lauren Kirschman (@laurenkirschman) November 19, 2021

The Kraken defensive effort has also been severely lacking which is why they have only been able to hold their opponents to two goals or less twice in thirteen games. Although the Kraken aren’t scoring in bunches, they would be more competitive in these games and possibly start racking up points if they can keep their opponents from putting points on the board.

The Kraken are averaging right under three goals-per-game so far, and forward absences has likely played a large part in why their offense has not clicked to a higher degree. Marcus Johansson spent the beginning of the year on the injured list and recently returned to record an assist through his first two games.

Jared McCann has missed time on the COVID-19 protocol list as of late after starting the season with seven points in eight games. Good news for the Kraken is that he returned to practice and will likely be back in action soon.

look who's back! pic.twitter.com/VVADeFUioT

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) November 10, 2021

The first goal scorer in Kraken history has also missed several games, as Ryan Donato has been absent for the past several days after suffering an injury over the weekend. Getting players healthy could be the key to kickstarting the inaugural season for the Seattle Kraken.

The Kraken play Thursday and Saturday before three days off which should serve as needed time to get healthy and practice as the season continues on.

Dylan Camp be reached at dylan.camp@student.shu.edu.

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