"Welcome Back Kraken" Hoping For Good Reviews vs. Blues At CPA

Center Yanni Gourde Returns From Two-Game Suspension

Every recent Seattle Kraken practice has been an opportunity to welcome back a key player who'd been absent due to injury or illness.

Or, in center Yanni Gourde's case, a two game suspension for a hit involving head contact Jan. 18 in Edmonton.

"It's good to be back with the boys," Gourde said after Thursday's practice. "I'm ready to get out there and play hockey." Which he's expected to do Friday, when the Kraken host the St. Louis Blues in the third of a four game homestand.

The game takes on additional significance because St. Louis is one point ahead of Seattle in the logjam for one of the two Western Conference Wild Card spots.

If center Matty Beniers returns tonight, the full Kraken forward corps will be intact except for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who skated on his own in this morning's optional practice.

Another recent returnee is winger Andre Burakovsky, who's missed extended stretches while recovering from two injuries. He said he's still working to "get into the rhythm of the game."

"I'm trying to find ways to play back the way I can," Burakovsky said. "First couple of games back were tough for me. Recognizing when you have time and space, when you don't have time and space."

And now? "I'm feeling really good about my game." Speaking about his current linemates, "I've been injured, (Jaden) Schwartz has been injured, Wenny (Alex Wennberg) has been playing with a whole different group. It's going to be really nice to have everyone back."

Schwartz will play in his 700th NHL game tonight, doing it against the club he spent a decade playing for. Schwartz was the Blues' first round draft choice in 2010, and skated under the Gateway Arch from 2011-21.