Kraken's Daccord Says 'Not So Fast Grubauer'

Kraken Between The Pipes

It’s a good problem to have; two goaltenders on top of their games at once. That’s the potential scenario for the Kraken at the moment.

As we pointed out earlier this week, this is the time of year that Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer usually asserts himself.

On Thursday night in his hometown of Boston — he’s from nearby North Andover — Kraken goalie Joey Daccord said ‘Not so fast, Grubi.”

Of course, he didn’t actually verbalize it; he said it with his outstanding play.

Actions speak louder than words.

“It was a really special night,” the 27-year-old said postgame with some emotion. “Just trying to put everything into perspective, I grew up through and through a Boston sports fan, I was here when the Bruins won the Cup, I went to Game-6. It’s been a long road, I’m obviously pretty old for a rookie, and my first time playing in the Garden, couldn’t have been more special.”

“He had a lot of work early,” Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said postgame in Boston. “He had less work as the game went on, in the 3rd period, but maybe his biggest save was in the 3rd period on 88 (David Pastrnak). He did it throughout the game.”

“Unreal,” Matty Beniers said of the Kraken goalie. “Making huge saves. He has been, every night that he’s been in between the pipes, he’s been great.”

Beniers is from what’s called the South Shore of Boston, Daccord the North Shore.

“Boston kids love coming home to Boston, so I know he was pumped up, I was pumped up, so it was fun to get the win,” Beniers added.

“Joey’s been playing well since he came in in November,” veteran forward Jordan Eberle said.

“It’s not a process that’s just happened this year, he’s put his time in,” Hakstol added. “He was arguably the best goaltender in the American Hockey League last year, he went on a helluva run through the playoffs, he came up and won some games for us and played well when called upon last year, and he came into camp this year and earned one of the two spots.”

With most of his appearances happening since Grubauer was injured on December 9th, Daccord has compiled a 16-11-and-9 record, a 2.33 goals against average, 3rd best in the NHL, and a .923 save percentage, also 3rd best.

At the moment, it’s definitely a 1A and 1B with Daccord and Grubauer in net.

“Hockey doesn’t define who I am as a person,” Daccord said, “I try to work hard, put my head down, treat people with respect, good game, bad game, doesn’t matter, just go out there, try my best and leave it all on the ice.”