Stars at Kraken – March 31
Whether they’re veterans playing for pride or maybe a future contract, or if they’re young guys playing for potential NHL jobs next season, the Seattle Kraken are playing out the string, having been officially eliminated from the playoff picture last week.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are considered Stanley Cup contenders, one of about ten teams that fit that description, according to their general manager Jim Nill. He was active before and at the trade deadline, adding and signing big ticket winger Mikko Rantanen from the Avalanche, plus fellow forward Mikael Granlund and D-man Cody Ceci from the Sharks.
Seattle Hockey Insider had one-on-one conversations with both Nill and Stars head coach Pete DeBoer on Monday morning, both of them being cautiously optimistic about their Stanley Cup chances. The ‘cautious’ simply comes from being around the NHL for so many years, and realizing just how many things need to go right to even reach the Final. Nill won four Cups as an executive with the Detroit Red Wings before taking over the Stars. (see interview at bottom of page).
The club is also optimistic that injured forward Tyler Seguin could see action with a game or two remaining in the regular season. The 33-year-old, who won a Cup as a rookie with the Boston Bruins in 2011, is coming off hip surgery in December.
Top D-man Miro Heiskanen is the other main concern for Dallas after knee surgery in February. It’s possible the 25-year-old lefty could see action if the Stars advance past the first or second round of the playoffs.
Monday’s game is a rematch of the one played Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena. The Stars beat the Kraken 5-1.
The goalies for Monday night: Casey DeSmith for the Stars; Philipp Grubauer for the Kraken.
