Kraken Woe
The basic analytics from Monday night’s game at Climate Pledge Arena spelled things out. The Kraken dominated possession time and enjoyed a majority of the scoring chances, but instead of holding a one-goal lead late and prevailing, they lost.
The shots and high danger scoring chances actually ended up even with the Flames winning in overtime 4-3.
“We had two or three good quality chances to make it a two-goal game,” Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said postgame. “At the end of the day, we come off the power play doing a good job, get through the PK, and it’s off a lost face-off, the puck ends up in the back of the net.”
That was the tying goal from Andrew Mangiapane with 4:07 remaining in the 3rd period.
Two of the Calgary goals came off winning offensive zone face-offs, although Jonathan Huberdeau’s in the first period was a soft goal on Philipp Grubauer. Although through a mild screen, it’s a save he has to have.
Grubauer Bounced
Prior to that Flames second goal, Grubauer had been plowed into the net on a collision with Flames forward Martin Pospisil. The puck also ended up going in following the collision, but the goal was waved off due to obvious goalie interference.
The degree it affected “Grooby” is tough to pinpoint, although he was replaced by Joey Daccord after twenty minutes.
Whether he was dinged up or it somehow altered his concentration remains to be seen. The club is practising late Tuesday morning at Kraken Community Iceplex.
Royal Visit
As the Vancouver Canucks ended their brief two-game skid with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night, the club and its fans enjoyed a royal presence.
Prince Harry, 2nd son of Princess Diana and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, took in the game with his wife Meghan after dropping the ceremonial pregame puck. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in town to celebrate the 2025 Invictus Games heading to Vancouver and to the mountain town of Whistler.
Harry helped found the event that allows injured and disabled military veterans from around the world to participate in an Olympic style games.
Elsewhere …
— The Boston Globe reports on Bruins forward Milan Lucic’s arrest and court appearance following an argument with his wife. Lucic pleaded not guilty to an assault and battery charge.
— NHL.com has the story of the Dallas Stars creating and unveiling a statue for former Stars forward and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Modano. He’s the club’s all-time leading scorer and helped them win a Stanley Cup in 1999.
— Our pals at Lightning Insider have the story of Monday’s highest profile game as the Tampa Bay Lightning won their third in a row by coming from behind to defeat the Boston Bruins.
No Pucks
Due to a lack of building availability and because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there are no NHL games Tuesday or Thursday this week.
Recent Kraken:
— Kraken Game Day 20; Another Attempt At The Elusive .500 Mark
— Simmer’s Sunday 9; Kraken Opportunity, Media Ban, Hockey Manslaughter?
