Kraken fans in attendance on Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena will get a chance to see one of the NHL’s elite forward lines and one of hockey’s most talented scorers. In fact, Nikita Kucherov led the NHL last season in points with 144 of them. He tied Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers for the most assists, 100.
“Kooch” is coming off a six-point performance in an 8-3 Lightning win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.
“He’s just effortless, he’s gonna go down as one of the greatest to ever play this game,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told Seattle Hockey Insider on Saturday morning. “He had a six-point game, but watch his backcheck, they had a 2-on-1 against us on the power play and he’s the guy that ripped back and broke it up.” (see the exclusive 5-minute pregame interview below)
Kucherov plays on the right side of center Brayden Point, with winger Jake Guentzel to the left.
“The top line obviously their biggest threat offensively,” Seattle head coach Dan Bylsma said Saturday. “Kucherov, like (Artemi) Panarin (New York Rangers) has the ability to get lost in the offensive zone, be on the flank, be open for a one-timer there, and that’s something we’ll be heightened aware of tonight.”
The Bolts have the 3rd best power play in the NHL, clicking around 30% of the time.
Tampa sits in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division with plenty of games in hand on the closest competition. That’s partly due to a cancellation because of a hurricane, but mostly due to scheduling quirks.
The Kraken are coming off an impressive home win on Thursday against the Boston Bruins 5-1. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice for Seattle. Goalie Philipp Grubauer won the game and is expected to start again tonight.
Seattle center Yanni Gourde remains out and is considered day-to-day.
The Bolts could be without top D-man Victor Hedman on Saturday evening. Cooper describes him as being 50/50 to play. Fellow blueliner Erik Cernak is also dinged up but expected to go.
Back-up Jonas Johansson should see the crease for Tampa Bay.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken’s Stanley Cup Winner Stephens; Wait … Who?
— Exclusive (and fun) morning skate one-on-one with coach Jon Cooper …
