Daccord, Dunn, Beniers Key Cogs In Seattle Kraken Resurgence

It's not hard to guess three of the players the Calgary Flames will be focusing on when they host the Seattle Kraken tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Three Kraken have stood out in recent road victories against the L.A. Kings and Anaheim Ducks, which kept Seattle unbeaten in its last six games (4-0-2).

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, according to Kraken PR, has stopped 179 of the 189 shots he has faced over Seattle’s last six games. That translates to a .947 save percentage, to go along with a 1.64 goals-against average and one shutout.

The save percentage and GAA (since Dec. 12) both top all NHL goalies that have started at least three games during that span.

Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn is coming off a three point effort against Anaheim - one goal, two assists.

Coach Dave Hakstol said this recently about Dunn, who has six points total in his last six games. "We've given him the opportunity this year to really step into that number one role offensively. He's got this jump and impact offensively with the puck, a significant confidence in his game.

"He's quietly starting to control the flow of play, defending hard, getting out of our zone. He's taking more and more minutes for us, playing against the other team's top competition, some of the top match-ups." 

Kraken center Matty Beniers recorded two assists Saturday against the Ducks, and has points in his last three games. Hakstol believes Beniers is coming out of early season offensive doldrums.

"Matty is a very realistic guy. He evaluates his game in a real honest way, for better and worse. He's not a guy who's too hard on himself, but he's also realistic with himself the way he's playing on a nightly basis.

"His game hasn't come easily to him. I think that's natural, as the league figures out a young player in year two. I've seen really good signs out of his game over our last stretch. He's looked like himself with confidence, pace with the puck.

"He's a guy that brings such good energy to the rink. Whether he's coming out of a successful night or not, he's ready to come back and work the exact same way as the day before."

(Hakstol's comments from the At The Rink podcast)