Matty Beniers and Shane Wright swapped spots in the Seattle Kraken lineup at practice earlier this morning.
Matty Beniers and Shane Wright swapped spots in the Seattle Kraken lineup at practice earlier this morning.
Beniers skated alongside Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle throughout pre-season and for the first game of the year against the St. Louis Blues but HC Dan Bylsma has elected to change things moving Wright with the two experienced wingers. Beniers will take his spot on the third line playing with Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Beniers had a couple of early chances in the first period but was turned away by Jordan Binnington. Following those chances, Beniers had a relatively quiet offensive game in periods two and three as he found himself with less time and space.
Wright on the other hand improved as the game went along. He finished with one shot on goal but won a key faceoff that led to Tolvanen's goal. He also set up Bjorkstrand in the front of the goal but he wasn't able to finish.
This is an excellent opportunity for Wright who has been working towards this for a long time. His work with the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season and the work he put in during the pre-season makes this a worthy move for the 20-year-old.
Both Wright and Beniers were on the ice when the Kraken were chasing the game-tying goal and whether they are moving up or down in the lineup, they'll both be key players for the Kraken this year.
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