The Seattle Kraken began a California road trip on Monday night by visiting the lowly San Jose Sharks. Although Wednesday is the big one in Los Angeles to face the Kings – the nearest team they can mathematically catch to make the playoffs – it was important to not overlook the Sharks. This was especially true since some out-of-town score-checking would have revealed that the Kings fell to the Winnipeg Jets.
To that point, it was nice to see a rather different-looking Seattle side on the ice, both concerning the lineup and the spirited effort that led to a 4-2 victory. Here are three takeaways.
Shane Wright’s Memorable Evening
Last week we wrote extensively about the Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Unlike the NHL squad, the Firebirds are having a terrific season and feature a roster replete with talent and depth, at least by AHL standards. Last week Ryan Winterton and Logan Morrison got the call (Winterton played last night). The Kraken brought up Shane Wright for the match versus the Sharks. Astute followers will remember that he was the club’s first-round pick in the 2022 Draft.
Despite being such a prized selection, he only partook in eight contests in 2022-23, and last night was but his fourth for the 2023-24 campaign. All the same, it’s important to make an impression at times like this. It’s the part of the season when average clubs like Seattle will start to try new things, see what sticks and possibly carry that into the following season.
Related: Kraken’s Jordan Eberle Tallies Assist for 700th Career Point
Wright did himself and head coach Dave Hakstol proud, scoring off a Jordan Eberle pass in the first period. Beyond that, it was his first goal of the season (the second of his NHL career), and it happened at a critical moment in the match. San Jose had halved Seattle’s advantage from 2-0 to 2-1 only minutes before. However poor the Sharks have been this season, it was important to deflate the momentum they had retrieved. Rather than heading back to the locker room with a one-goal lead, the Kraken were cruising with a two-goal cushion.
Kraken Start Strong with Early Goals
Speaking of the excellent first period, Seattle scored goals! Plural! We’ve discussed again and again how it’s been a rough campaign offensively for the Kraken. The sort of moxie the group showed in the opening frame was a refreshing change of pace.
It wasn’t just that the Kraken scored three…
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