The Need to Knows

The Time: 5pm PST

The Place: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Place to Watch: KONG, KHN Networks, Amazon Prime (if local), Chicago Sports Network

Place to Listen: KJR 93.3-FM

An Opposing Viewpoint: Second City Hockey

Game Preview

So hey y’know how the Kraken beat this team 3-1 last time they played? Here’s what they’ve been doing since then.

Did they do it by beating two of the worst teams in the league multiple times? Sure. But they did do it.

The ‘Hawks are 6-2-2 through their last ten, largely on the strength of a couple of get-right games against Calgary, have the 2nd best goal differential in the conference, and are now one of the many teams jockeying for position against the Kraken and their division mates for position in the standings. Just like we all thought.

How are they doing it? That’s easy; Connor Bedard has decided his time to be a superstar is right here and now. Over the last two weeks, Bedard has 11 points in his last five games, 6 goals in that time; half of which was earned in a single night, and its allowed them to go from a team with mere promise to a team with aspirations.

Naturally, this is a great time for the Kraken to need to catch this team.

If there is a silver lining to facing a team with this much momentum, it is that a competent defensive effort stymies these guys badly. A lot of their flash and passing skill doesn’t take into account the dearth of shots from in tight that the ‘Hawks generate. The thing is…if they do get those shots, they’ve usually scored on them, so lollygagging in the defensive end and puckwatching is a surefire way to a bad time against them.

Further, using sustained controlled entries with solid passing will see a lot of the ‘Hawks strengths start to break down, as their one loss to the Devils saw them begin to struggle with play recognition outside of transition chances and their defense begin to break down. That went for their goalies as well as their skaters, so while it may not be advisable all the time, the Kraken should definitely have at least one player hovering on the doorstep of the net ready for a pass going “east to west” as it were.

Make no mistake however; this will be a tough matchup. The ‘Hawks are heading into a back-to-back, and they play the blighted nightmare that is Buffalo tomorrow. They’re gonna want to establish a near insurmountable score and early in order to ensure they have enough gas in the tank to play again. The Kraken must put all of their efforts towards spoiling that hope and make them sweat.

That…and don’t take any penalties. This PK is not equipped to handle Chicago’s power play at the moment.

LET’S GO KRAKEN, LET’S GO SQUIDS