The Kraken’s leading scorer isn’t hurt. He’s slumping.
So much so Jared McCann hasn’t been the subject of one of the club’s organized media conversations for a pregame or postgame since November 30th. Unfortunately, for that one it was to talk about the Kraken’s struggles after a 3rd consecutive loss to Pacific Division bottom feeders.
“We just need to be better, every single guy in here,” he said after the 4-2 home loss to the San Jose Sharks. “Myself, I’ve gotta be better, I’ve gotta get pucks in deep, I’ve gotta stop turning the puck over. That’s something I’ve gotta be better at.”
And while the team improved, winning three of four games on the ensuing road trip, McCann didn’t produce. He went pointless in games against the Hurricanes, Islanders, Devils and Rangers.
In the meantime, despite just two points, a goal and an assist, over his last 11 games, he remains the club’s leading scorer with 23 points. That’s because in the five games leading up to the slump he had seven points. That came not long after another stretch that saw him post 14 points over ten games.
A three game scoreless streak came in between.
We had the same conversation last March when McCann had two points during an eight game stretch. Two seasons ago in January he threw out a random hat trick in the middle of an eight game slump. It’s simply the nature of the beast for scorers.
Confidence is always the biggest factor. Getting on a roll … or not. Also, in trying to find success, Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma has juggled lines quite a bit over the last two to three weeks. That can obviously effect chemistry.
Another factor: Before clicking on the recent roadie, the Kraken power play went a stretch of nine games where it failed to click in eight of them.
One thing McCann is remarkably consistent at is shooting the puck on net approximately 2.7 times per game. He’s extremely close to that number every season he’s played for the Kraken including this one.
Lately however, those shots aren’t going in.
“It might just take a lucky bounce.”
He’ll be back.
