When the Kraken host the Canucks on Saturday night, the two teams will mostly be playing for completely different reasons.
“We want to remind the players with the practices that this is the way we need to play,” Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma said after his club skated on Friday. “This is how we need to compete to have success … we feel our best hockey is ahead of us, our best hockey should be ahead of us, and we need every game to prove that. Both getting the two points, and proving it to each other that this is the kind of team we are.”
Bylsma can hope that his players are willing to buy into that message as his club plays out the string. They’re way out of the playoff picture, so now it’s up to the staff to provide or create some sort of motivation, outside of the basic fact that they’re paid professionals with a responsibility to the club, the fans, and each other.
Maybe pride and a rivalry will help on Saturday night. Previous match-ups with the Canucks this season have been tight and feisty. They’ve split a pair of one goal games, with Seattle’s victory coming on December 28th in Vancouver when the Canucks blew a three-goal, 3rd period lead and lost in overtime.
Head coach Rick Tocchet’s club won’t need to be reminded of that outing, they’re already in full desperation mode. Or at least one would hope so.
After Wednesday night’s 5-2 loss in Anaheim to the Ducks, Vancouver’s current battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference is tenuous. The Canucks hold a one point lead on Calgary for the 2nd wild card, with the Flames holding a game in hand.
Aside from what we hope is a burgeoning rivalry, both the Kraken and the Canucks should be highly motivated for their match-up at Climate Pledge Arena for completely different reasons.
Seattle can play to build for the future, to serve as spoiler against a rival, and therefore remain somewhat relevant.
The Canucks simply have to win.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Singing The Blues, Get Stomped 7-2
