Seattle Kraken Game 7 Preview – It’s Do or Die!
The Seattle Kraken pulled off an impressive win in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars while facing elimination. Can they complete the comeback tonight? Perhaps if they follow these 3 key points!
Dan White
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The Seattle Kraken can continue writing their names into the hockey history books tonight. Nothing better in sports than a Game 7 NHL playoff elimination match. Seattle has experienced this last round, beating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. So, what do the boys from the Puget Sound have to do to win this game? Of course, the default answer is to score more goals than the opponent. That is a no-brainer. There are other ways to give the Kraken an advantage, though.
1. Play a physical game
The Kraken have outhit their opponents in every game they have won thus far in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. That is not a coincidence. It is well known that teams poised for a long playoff run require grit and physicality. Seattle has hard-hitting players on all four lines and can wear down their opponents by throwing their bodies around early and often. The Seattle Kraken need to finish their checks hard into the boards and remind the Stars that it is not by accident or luck; there is a game 7.
2. Block the Shooting Lane
One thing I have been most impressed with about the Seattle Kraken is their ability to sacrifice the body to make the goaltender’s job easier. According to Statmuse, every Seattle skater who dressed for a playoff game this season has at least one blocked shot to their name. Jamie Oleksiak leads the way with 43. Getting in the way of the puck reduces the traffic to the net and forces the opponent to get creative with their shots. This allows goaltender Philipp Grubauer to feel that much more confident in his play, which is a key component of this decisive game.
3. Shoot the puck!
Seattle needs to come out of the gates flying. They cannot afford a slow start and must test goaltender Jake Oettinger early and often. In Game 6, Seattle scored four goals on their first 18 shots. This forced Dallas to pull their all-star goaltender just 24:23 into the game. This is what the Kraken need to replicate. It will not be easy, though. They must create offensive chances by making crisp tape-to-tape passes and get the goaltender moving out of position often. This will create more offensive opportunities, which the Kraken are great at capitalizing on. Additionally, they need to get traffic in front of the net and provide a screen of the goaltender’s view. Having a person directly in front of the net will allow them to capitalize on rebound opportunities, increasing their odds of putting goals on the board.
Conclusion
The boys were buzzing in Game 6 in front of the home fans. While they will be on the road for Game 7, Climate Pledge Arena will still be jam-packed with a viewing party, as well as various other bars in the Pacific Northwest. The Kraken owe it to their fans to play their best game. Following the above steps might not guarantee a win, but it will improve their odds. Should the Seattle Kraken win tonight, they will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals for an opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup. Will they get there? Only time will tell.