Seattle Kraken Host Chicago Blackhawks; Goalie Daccord Aims To Extend Stellar Play

Blackhawks Defeated Kraken 4-3 In Chicago On Nov. 28

Joey Daccord (pictured above) is expected to be back between the pipes for the Seattle Kraken tonight at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle hosts the Chicago Blackhawks in the 5th of six game homestand.

Daccord's 4-0 whitewash of the Florida Panthers Tuesday - his first NHL shutout in 35 career NHL games - was the continuation of a strong stretch. 

He's allowed just six goals in his last four starts, never more than two in any game. 

Daccord has lowered his GAA to 2.73, while raising his save percentage to .902.

I asked him when a goalie starts thinking about a shutout. "Once we hit the empty-netter (by Eeli Tolvanen with three minutes left), you're really like almost hoping you don't get another shot," Daccord said with a deep laugh. "Let's just dump it in and break out for the next two minutes." 

Daccord also revealed that with the Kraken up 3-0 and Flordia goalie Sergei Bobrovsky pulled for an extra attacker, defenseman Adam Larsson was half-expecting Daccord to try for the empty net himself. "I'll shoot if I get a great chance," admitted the 27 year old Boston native, who's demonstrated dexterity in stickhandling.

The shutout of the Panthers, breaking an eight game winless streak (0-6-2), made for a happier workplace all around. "It takes a weight off your back, without a doubt," said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. "It lightens the mood."

Hakstol pointed out his team has been involved in 15 one-goal games, among the most in the NHL.

"We've been involved in a lot of games where we've worked really hard, done a lot of good things, but there's not two points to show for it. Most important thing when you're on a stretch like that is to get the two points."

Kraken players talked among themselves about not being satisfied with merely snapping a losing streak.

"Obviously, it's a great win, but it's just one game," said Alex Wennberg, who scored a goal on his bobblehead giveaway night Tuesday. "We have to build on it."

As a native of Sweden, Wennberg wasn't familiar with the whole bobblehead craze. "I don't think we're big into bobbleheads. I asked around, 'Is this a big thing?' Everyone was like, 'Yeah, it's huge.'"

Wennberg knows one person who thinks it's a big deal: his young son, who's made dad's bobblehead his new favorite toy. "It's perfect," said Wennberg, smiling. 

The Kraken's fourth line of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Kailer Yamamoto and Devin Shore drew praise from coach Hakstol, with Yamamoto and Bellemare both scoring in the victory over Florida.

"It's a results-driven business," said Shore. "It's tough waking up in the morning, having nothing to show for it. So it's nice to be rewarded.

"We've got some pretty special players on this team. There are nights in other wins where you contribute in different (non-scoring) ways. The guys in the dressing room let you know they see it, whether it's a shot-block or getting the puck out on the wall."

From Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, written before Daccord's recent excellent play, and before Philipp Grubauer exited onto IR with a week-to-week lower body injury.

"We’re told Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis has also been shopping around. Neither Grubauer nor Daccord has been consistent for the Kraken this season, and the club is concerned.

"The talk is the Kraken are among a few teams that have reached out to Montreal GM Kent Hughes to see what route he’s going to take with his netminders. The Habs are at least willing to discuss moving veteran Jake Allen or possibly Cayden Primeau. The club is concerned that if it attempts to send Primeau, 24, to its AHL affiliate in Laval he’ll get picked up on waivers."