Seattle Kraken 3 Stars of Week 1: Improved Power Play Leads the Way
Seattle Kraken’s Third Star of the Week – Jaden Schwartz
Our third star of the week goes to Jaden Schwartz. The 30-year-old second-line forward had an impressive week, earning one point in each Seattle Kraken contest. Alongside Matthew Beniers, he aided Jared McCann for Seattle’s first score against the Anaheim Ducks.
This game would prove challenging for the team, but it still earned them their first point of the season. It was his work on the power play this week, however, that has earned him recognition.
Schwartz has proven to be a true asset for the Seattle Kraken on the man advantage. In two consecutive games, he used the Schwartz (for you fellow nerds, yes, I’m making a Space Balls reference) and potted two power-play goals.
Power Play Genius
His first PP Goal came early in the first period against Los Angeles. An early tripping penalty taken by Blake Lizotte gave the Kraken their second-man advantage of the evening just seconds after the previous penalty had expired. Up until the moment of Jaden’s goal, the power play hadn’t been anything special.
However, Andre Burakovsky set up a beautiful play. Faking a shot, he passed to Jordan Eberle. Schwartz tried to nail it in, but King’s goalie Jonathan Quick made the save. Nevertheless, the Kings couldn’t get back on top of the loose puck, and Schwartz hammered in his rebound, giving the Kraken an early lead moments before the penalty came to a close.
The Kraken struggled against Vegas in Game 3, allowing five goals in the first two periods. However, it was Schultz’s goal late in the third that gave the team a little bit of their momentum back.
Seattle had an opportunity to score again after an interference penalty led to a power play. Burakovsky, once again, set up Schwartz with a beautiful pass. Schwartz took a chance and chipped it in, scoring a goal right before faceplanting gracefully into the chest of goalie Adin Hill.
Jaden Schwartz missed 45 games last season. The Kraken missed his front-of-the-net presence. He's back, and just tucked in a loose puck at the goal mouth.
The Kraken PP to begin the season: 4-of-7.
— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) October 14, 2022
Schwartz and Burakovsky have been a beautiful pairing for the Seattle Kraken’s power play. Outside of his outstanding play on special teams,, Schwartz has been impressive in other facets of the game as well.
In the faceoff circle, he has a 57.1% faceoff percentage. The Colorado College Alum is currently second on the team in shots on goal, with 10. and his two goals have earned him a 20% shooting percentage (trailing only Alex Wennberg). He also had 7 hits in 3 games, as well as one blocked shot.