3 Game Essentials | Flames (23-17-9) at Kraken (28-14-5) | 7 p.m.

Time: 7:00 p.m. PT | Watch: ROOT SPORTS | Listen: 93.3 KJR
##### One: Beniers Out of Lineup This Weekend
Kraken rookie center Matty Beniers did not participate in Friday's morning skate and will not play Friday and Saturday. He took a hard hit from Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers during the second period of Wednesday's win over the Canucks. He did not return for the third period. Check back closer to game time on the Kraken app, website, and social channels to see how the Kraken coaching staff forms tonight's lines.
##### Two: More January Juice
From the start of the New Year, the Kraken are leading the league in wins (10, tied), points (21), goals (55), and goals per game (4.23). They are one of only two teams (Edmonton) to be averaging four or more goals per game in 2023.

But here's a prime example of how arduous the postseason push will be as January turns to February to March to mid-April: The Kraken are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games while Edmonton is 7-1-2 in the same span. The Kraken and Oilers are second- and third-best in the last 10, only season-dominant Boston (8-2) has been better There's work to do - and points to be earned before the Kraken get a breather this coming week.

##### Three Back-to-Back Times Two
In the Kraken's first night of back-to-back games, they will be facing division rival Calgary visiting on a second night of back-to-back contests. The Flames lost at home Thursday in an eye-opening 5-1 loss to Chicago (31st overall in NHL standings points) at home in Alberta. Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom started in goal for Calgary Thursday. Expect to see Dan Vladar in net; he's 10-4-4 on the season (1-1 against Seattle) after coming over in a trade with Boston.
The Flames arrive with 55 standings points in 49 games played. That's six points behind Seattle, which has two games in hand. The Flames will be motivated to close the gap on the Kraken before the All-Star break. But they will have to do without stalwart defenseman Chris Tanev, who is out at least until after the break. His overall ability to play coach Darryl Sutter's system sets a constant example for younger D-men teammates, plus his one-on-one play against rushing forwards is elite. Sutter called out his D-corps after Thursday's loss: "We made some glaring errors on the back end that cost us. You've got some defensemen that even though they're younger guys, they have to take some leadership too in terms of direction and poise."