Assume nothing; it’s always an “if” until it actually happens, but the Seattle Kraken, in their second year as an NHL franchise, can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win tonight at Climate Pledge Arena against the Arizona Coyotes.
The Desert Dogs rolled over on Monday night at the same venue as the Kraken hammered them 8-1. That preceded Seattle’s 5-2 victory Tuesday night at the Vancouver Canucks that put the Kraken in this position.
Seattle will also earn a spot tonight if they pick-up just one point through regulation and the Nashville Predators lose in any fashion, regulation or beyond, to the Carolina Hurricanes. Kraken fans should know the results of that game just about the time their team is dropping the puck.
Kraken Poise
Let’s face it, the Coyotes stunk for long stretches of the game on Monday. They could hardly complete a break-out pass in the first ten minutes. As the slaughter ensued, they began to take liberties. Aside from discipline to systems and style of play for the Kraken, there’s also the discipline it takes to keep one’s composure when under attack.
Kraken forward Ryan Donato is one of the guy’s who took a couple of punches for the team.
“You’ve just got to play it smart, do the right things,” Donato said, “don’t change our game, obviously come ready to play because you know this team is definitely going to come ready to play after that last game against us.”
In the attached video, former NHL forward and long-time radio commentator Dave Tomlinson talks about “turning the other cheek”. The Coyotes ultimately mean nothing to Seattle at this point, it’s not about seeking retribution for nasty play, it’s about keeping the Kraken’s eyes on the prize.
That prize of course, is a playoff berth. Oh so close.
“We’ve got an opportunity here today,” Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said Thursday morning. “Gotta know where you’re at and take advantage of that opportunity. In terms of readiness and preparedness, I mean that started months ago. We know who we are as a team and what we have to do to be successful, we have to go out and play that way tonight.”
Reminder: Game time Thursday night between Seattle and Arizona is a little after 7:30 pm pacific.
