There was a flurry of activity around the Kraken’s practice rink on Tuesday as the coaches plan for the season finale against the LA Kings, most of the players prepare to pack up and leave in the next couple of days, and the non-hockey executives schmooze the season ticket holders at lunch.
Standard fare for a team not preparing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kraken are one of 16 on the outside looking in. The NHL regular season wraps up with seven games on Thursday. Some of the 16 postseason-bound clubs will begin the chase for the chalice as early as Saturday.
As for Tuesday night’s match-up at Climate Pledge Arena, the visiting Kings might be sending out a modified line-up. With their 5-0 victory in Edmonton on Monday night, LA locked up home ice advantage for their 1st-round series against the Oilers. It’s the fourth straight season the two clubs will meet in the 1st-round, with Edmonton having won the previous three.
“They needed the win to get home ice, they’re playing 3 (games) in 4 (nights), there were definitely some bumps and bruises in the game, (so) they may have to adjust,” Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma pointed out. “Does it mean we’re not going to see a few players, I don’t know, I anticipate a bit of movement in their line-up.”
Bylsma pointed out that LA’s plan means little to him as it relates to his club playing a strong hockey game. He credits leadership in the locker room for Seattle’s strong performance over the latter part of the season.
“I don’t think it just Eb’s (Jordan Eberle), Schwartzy (Jaden Schwartz), I think there’s a lot of veterans in that room from different places,” Bylsma said. “Last year we added Chandler (Stephenson) and (Brandon) Montour, but I think the way we’ve played the last 19 games is clear evidence of the strong leadership in that room.”
“We still have an opportunity tonight to do that (play well) against a good team, and last chance to give our fans something,” Eberle said.
A win would nudge Seattle to within four games of .500 on the season and lock up a winning record at home.
