News and Notes Prior to the 4 pm PT Puck Drop, with Dallas Leading the Series 3-2, and Seattle Looking to Avoid Elimination
The Seattle Kraken must find a way to slow down the Dallas Stars' top line if they want to keep their season alive.
Roope Hintz (two goals), Jason Robertson (three assists) and Joe Pavelski (7th goal of the series) were the difference in Game 5, a 6-3 Stars win. "They're affecting the series," conceded Kraken coach Dave Hakstol.
Dallas Stars linemates Joe Pavelski (L) and Roope Hintz (C), along with top defenseman Miro Heiskanen (R), celebrate a playoff goal against Seattle."It's not just that group," Hakstol cautioned. "We have to handle their pace a little better. The last couple of games, their pace, both defensively and offensively, has been outstanding. We're going to have to get quicker with the puck, handle that pace a little better."
Kraken Have Outlasted Playoff Favorites
Seattle Kraken goalie Phillip Grubauer and winger Brandon Tanev celebrate their Game 3 victory against the Dallas Stars.The Kraken have six postseason wins, heading into this afternoon's must-win Game 6 against Dallas.
Those six victories are more than the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche (3 wins), who the Kraken knocked out in the first round. Six victories is also more than the Lightning (2), the team that's been to the Cup Final each of the last three seasons, winning twice.
Regardless of tonight's outcome, Seattle will finish the 2023 playoffs with more victories than three of the top four regular season teams: the Bruins (3 wins), Devils (5), and Maple Leafs (5). In addition to Colorado, two other clubs which finished ahead of the Kraken in the standings had fewer postseason wins: the Rangers (3) and the Kings (2).
Of course, the Kraken aren't ready to concede an end to their surprising run. If it should end tonight, though, remember what they've already accomplished.
Power Plays & Draws
See what the Kraken's Eeli Tolvanen is doing here? Seattle needs a reason to do more of this on their power plays.The Kraken's ability to force a Game 7 in Dallas may hinge on finding a way to energize their power play. Through 12 games, Seattle has converted on just 13% of extra man chances (an even more anemic 1-10 against the Stars).
Establishing offensive zone pressure will be made easier if the Kraken can correct a flaw which has bedeviled them all season: an inability to win faceoffs.
Seattle has won 43% of draws, worst among the 16 playoff teams. Dallas, at 58%, is number one. That matters most on special teams, when puck possession is at a premium.
Nowhere has injured forward Andre Burakovsky been missed more than on the Seattle PP. Burakovsky hasn't played since January, being listed as "week-to-week" ever since.
"O" From "D", Kartye Hitting His Stride
Kraken playoffs: defenseman Justin Schultz (L), AHL Rookie of the Year Tye Kartye (R)Justin Schultz, with three goals and six assists, is tied for third among defensemen in playoff scoring. Overall, Kraken d-men have contributed nine goals, best in the postseason.
The Kraken signed forward Tye Kartye 14 months ago to a three year contract. Kartye scored 29 goals with AHL Coachella Valley and won the league's rookie of the year award. Since being a playoff call-up for Seattle, he's recorded 7+ hits in three different games, including eight in Game 5 in Dallas.
As a team, the Kraken have administered a league-high 491 hits.
Voices
Daryl Reaugh, Stars TV analyst, praising Seattle's tenacity:
"You look at the Kraken, they are like really angry border collies, in there nipping at heels. They go in with a plan. They play fast, they play organized, and they're really, really hard on the puck. They're not just out there to register hits."
Eddie Olczyk, Kraken TV analyst, on which Kraken players deserve more national attention:
"The emergence on the back end of Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn. An incredible shutdown pair. It's been a perfect fit. For Dunn in particular, last year, playing behind (since traded) Mark Giordano, 'Dunner' wasn't getting the reps. He wasn't getting the number one power play looks."
(Reaugh spoke on KTCK-FM, Olczyk on KIRO-AM)